Flat Worms: A Quarantine Text Interview
Flat Worms, the heavy-hitting punk trio with the catchy riffs and lyrics that get stuck in your head for days on end, released their third album today on God? Records. The long awaited Antarctica “reflects a situation that's dire, but not hopeless," words that perfectly describe the current state of the world. Musically, the album brings us to the forefront of the band's creativity, with Will Ivy, Justin Sullivan, and Tim Hellman's symbiosis legitimately peaking. I got a hold of frontman Will Ivy and asked him some questions about the album, quarantine life, and the daunting feeling of isolation. Through it all, he's still hopeful. "It takes effort to stay positive but it is worth it." Read below, and buy the album, any way you can, if you can. In times like these, music will save all our souls. —Maya Eslami
Maya Eslami: First of all, how are you and the family holding up?
Will Ivy: I feel really lucky given the circumstances. I still have work, I have Owen here, my dogs, and everything I need at home. Trying to stay positive and exercise and cook good food.
Funny how we’re now all watching each other’s lives through stories and checking in that way.
Yeah it is funny, and something I was thinking a lot about when writing lyrics for the record. Which is before all the quarantine stuff happened.
How so?
I was thinking a lot about how social media is changing how we portray our identities publicly, how it impacts our self worth, and how it has changed the way we interact or participate socially. To me it is an isolating feeling, although social media was initially sold to us all as a way to stay connected.
Is that where the album title came from? That feeling of complete isolation?
Yes. After all, where is more isolated than Antarctica? I've been thinking a lot about Antarctica as a symbol lately, and one thing I learned is that Antarctica is actually the world’s largest desert, because deserts are determined by annual rainfall. As I thought about isolation and the feeling of loneliness, I realized that I also live in a desert, in Los Angeles. Even though Antarctica is the most isolated place in the world, sometimes it can feel like we’re already living there.
Absolutely. There’s an irony of living in a heavily populated city and still feeling extreme loneliness
Exactly. One thing I want to point out though, is that it’s not our intention to just project a negative world view. What I hope for is that others can identify with the feeling, so collectively we feel less isolated when we can both say “I feel it too.”
How did that feeling affect the songwriting on the album?
I think a lot of us are feeling pretty frustrated with the times we are living in, like we are subject to this massive con, and it is alienating. It also inspires me to try and articulate that frustration, which is where I was coming from.
That's pretty profound Will, to have felt all these things well before the pandemic and quarantine.
It feels eerie, like my worst instincts were correct. I could not have possibly imagined how much worse it would get.
But you're still hopeful. How are you staying positive?
Yes, very much still hopeful. I think among all the tragedy in this crisis there is also a lot of humanity. Of course the courage of front line medical workers is astonishing. I have really enjoyed watching the creative outpouring from a lot of people in the form of Instagram live performances and video, and that is all really inspiring. It takes effort to stay positive but it is worth it. No matter how hard times get life is still worth living. I think it's important to focus on one day at a time, do not over consume the news. FaceTime a friend. Make a cool recipe, pour yourself a drink. Be productive if it makes you feel good or watch tv if it makes you feel good. Just use this time exactly how you want, and we will get through this.
Oh, can I add one more thing about how I’m staying positive: Ryan Heffington’s Sweat Fest class on Instagram Live!
Flat Worm's Antarctica is out today on Drag City imprint God? Records. Visit their bandcamp for more information.
PHOTOS: Owen Schmit
