Walter TV

Mac Demarco is a notorious eccentric, and when it comes to his bandmates, he’s in good company. When not drumming on tour with the jizz jazzer, Pierce McGarry finds himself fronting the psych surf-rock band Walter TV. The group has a distinct psychedelic vibe and has differentiated itself with dreamy falsetto lyrics and artful green screen music videos. McGarry took some time on tour to discuss Walter TV’s newest release, Blessed, and the spontaneity when it comes to making his signature music videos.

G—Tell me something about your new album Blessed?

Pierce McGarry—It’s digital baby! Hear the ones and zeros whip through your mind! (Some songs anyway).

G—The lead single, “Surf Metal”, is this sort of surf rock metal with a gnarly mix of Brian Wilson meets a trippy Maiden. Was this inspired at all by your relocation to LA?

PG—Hooha! No, it’s not directly relating to LA, it’s just about trying to always be aware you’re alive. Realizing you are the universe witnessing itself in this one final and everlasting moment. Keeping things in good perspective, whether you like it or not. It happened (you’re alive!), deal with it, that’s all.

G—Speaking of LA, the band busts out some pretty memorable green screen surfing moves in the video for “Pukka Shell Necklace”. Now that you are in the Sunshine State, will we get to see a Walter TV surf video sans green screen?

If you like watching people learn to surf for hours on end I can send you a private link that I’ll commission Jack Johnson to film.

PG—If you like watching people learn to surf for hours on end I can send you a private link that I’ll commission Jack Johnson to film. Can I have your last name only and credit card number please?

G—Your signature video work can be seen in a lot of the different bands you play in. When off and on tour, are you constantly capturing footage for upcoming video releases? Or is that more for B-roll and you approach your videos with a planned scripted concept?

PG—I guess it’s handy to have a lot of footage to draw from, but each video is different and I do a lot of planning and set up for each one. Sometimes people are in a mad rush and we have to rely on certain charms to come out on the spot during the shoot, and sometimes we get tons of time to plan exactly what I need. Either approach has its positives and negatives. I like spontaneity and also craft – I just try and mix both. Sometimes a sketch is as good as a “masterpiece.”

G—Your YouTube channel (pmcgravy) has an impressive collection of videos on it and I have to ask: in the video “Mac’s New Plant”, after a good, long fondling session does he ever figure out what “it” was?

PG—Does anyone ever really figure out what “it” was?

G—Ahhh, postmodern existentialism found in the tundra.

Ok, last question. Couldn’t help but notice the Jurassic Park hat you are sporting – are you pumped or bummed about the release of Jurassic World? Spoiler, John Williams isn’t composing the score…

PG—Pretty indifferent. Looks like trash though.

Blessed is out this Friday, July 10, on Sinderlyn.