Formed in 2014, in the heart of Austin, Texas, emerges We Don’t Ride Llamas [WDRL], a dynamic Alt Afro-Punk band on a mission. Born from the fusion of diverse musical influences and a shared commitment to racial and social justice, this band of siblings transcends mere entertainment, using their music as a catalyst for change. We caught up with them around their latest release “(2-Inch) Grave”.
Can you walk us through the inspiration behind your latest single, “(2-Inch) Grave”, and how the idea for the song came about?
We knew we wanted to write about the storm after the event. It affected us gravely and our experience isn’t the only one like this. We wanted to speak the truth and give solace as best we could. This is the result.
The band is praised for its unique blend of Afro-Punk and Metal. How do you ensure that your music stays true to your genre-bending approach while still honoring the influences of iconic musicians like Robert Johnson, Little Richard, and Jimi Hendrix?
We feel that those musicians are part of our roots naturally. Their influence is definitely noted throughout all of our music regardless of what genre we are playing. One can always come back to those who have inspired them.
The band name, We Don’t Ride Llamas, is quite memorable and intriguing. Could you tell us the story behind how you came up with it and what it signifies for the band?
We were in the car just thinking about cool band names for ourselves and We Don’t Ride Llamas came up as a joke. But then we thought “Wait that name slaps!” and it stuck.
“(2-Inch) Grave” addresses issues of systemic neglect and greed that contributed to the devastation of Winter Storm Uri. How important is it for you to use your platform as musicians to raise awareness about social and political issues?
That’s actually part of why we make our music. We are incredibly socially aware and are constantly vigilant. We hope our music not only sheds light on important issues but gives insight into how much they matter.
– What message do you hope listeners take away from “(2-Inch) Grave”, particularly those who may have experienced similar hardships during Winter Storm Uri?
Please know that you are not alone. People care about what happened and we personally refuse to be silent about the mistreatment of us and our fellow Texans during the storm. We hope this song is both a comfort and rallying cry to those who went through it. We stand with you.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from We Don’t Ride Llamas in terms of future releases or projects?
We are excited to announce our upcoming debut album “American Icon”! We have been working on this album for the last two years. It’s our pride and joy that we cannot wait to share with y’all. Keep an eye out!