Written by Laura Curry
Experience enlightenment with The Godlings at their next show. Their music provides listeners with a sanctuary in which their imagination can soar. In light of their performance at the Wonder Bar tonight, we interviewed The Godlings to get a better idea of who they are and what fuels their music.
Who are The Godlings?
The Godlings are comprised of Clint Newman on vocals and guitar, Kenny Noto on bass guitar and back up vocals, Mike Josephsen on hand percussion and Dan Archer on drums.
What year did you guys come together as a band?
The band started in 2011, but this incarnation came to be in 2014.
Where are you based out of?
We’re all from the mean streets of Howell.
What’s the story behind your band name?
We are all Godlings; a product in process.
Who has your sound been likened to: Hard to say, we have been called everything from progressive surf rock to jazz punk to indie folk.
Have you performed in bands before The Godlings? If so, what are the names of those bands?
Some of us played in Capt. Kenoto and the Dive Masters and The Crystal Muff.
Do you have any new music out?
We are currently recording through the winter and should be releasing something new in the spring.
What’s been your proudest accomplishment as a band?
This one time we opened up for Puppy Grease. Those guys are real American heroes.
What do you love about being in The Godlings?
Making people dance and smile is exceedingly rewarding.
What’s been the wildest thing to happen at a Godlings show?
The children wept in awe.
There are so many bands performing in the Asbury scene right now — what separates you from everyone else?
Asbury is such a diverse sound. The area is dripping with talent and it’s really encouraging to be around it. I believe we are the only band that does sonic exorcisms. We have a for-hire service that clears buildings and spaces of unwelcome spirits with high watt amplifiers. Free estimates.
When you think about the audience at shows, by the end of your set, how do you want them to be feeling? Or generally, what are you trying to communicate (or transmit) to listeners with your music?
We want our audience to drop the stress, feel the vibes and enjoy themselves for an hour. We hope to elevate the mood by stimulating the imagination. Happy people make a happy world. Music is the closest thing to magic.
If someone has never heard The Godlings before, what song would you recommend they check out in order to fully understand what The Godlings is all about, and why?
Automatic love is off the last record, Lo-fi Solutions Towards a Hi-fi World. The title tells the tale. We aim to please. Hear it on reverberation.com/thegodlings
What are your plans for the rest of 2016?
Record. Tour. Play. Repeat. And enjoy it all along the way.
