How “Meltdown” Reflects TJ Wagoner’s Journey Through Addiction and Homelessness
Punk Head: You played every instrument and produced everything yourself. At what point does complete creative freedom become overwhelming?
TJ Wagoner: I enjoy it. It's not so much overwhelming as it pushes me to try new things. I have to approach each instrument differently on each new song to stay fresh.
Punk Head: ”Meltdown" was built without any samples. Was that a creative rule from the beginning or did it happen naturally?
TJ Wagoner: It's definitely a rule of mine. I really like creating my own sounds. I don't mind people sampling my stuff, but I go original everytime.
Punk Head: You cite both hip hop and The Beatles as influences. What do those two worlds have in common that people often overlook?
TJ Wagoner: I always heard similarities. I think it's the attention to rhythm in some of the Beatles songs that I could always imagine being rapped over. Both are influences so in my own music I naturally mix hip hop drums with guitars and Beatlesish melodies.....at least I hope it comes across that way to others.
Punk Head: The line, "giving up the ghost ain't in the cards, gotta find a better way to keep this monster rolling," feels like the emotional centre of the release. What does "the monster" represent to you today?
TJ Wagoner: Life itself. The drive it takes to survive and the struggle are the monster.
I've overcome addiction and homelessness and never gave up so I " gotta get rolling on".
Punk Head: There's a growing movement of artists proving that major-label resources aren't necessary to make ambitious records. Do you see your independence as a practical reality, an artistic philosophy, or both?
TJ Wagoner: I do struggle with the logistical part of the industry, like ads and promotion, so I'd very much love to have label help in those regards. But I want to control my artistic direction on my own terms, ya know? Cake and eat it too.
