An Interview with wiL and Angel of Aiden [09/2007] « emo music, emo bands, punk bands, punk music, emo quotes and more

An Interview with wiL and Angel of Aiden [09/2007]

I interviewed Aiden’s wiL Francis and Angel Ibarra outside the Highline Ballroom in NYC before their first-ever headlining show in NYC. It was pretty hectic, with what felt like everyone on earth wanting their few minutes with the boys, but they kindly answered a bunch of questions, showed off their tattoos, and even talked movies and books… before heading off to kick enough ass to make Chuck Norris hide in fear when they took the stage a few hours later.

pixie: So, how is the tour going so far?

wiL: It’s going pretty good.

pixie: [to wiL] I actually interviewed you last month, the day
the “One Love” video came out… big press day… you seemed exhausted and thinking
“please don’t ask me another question about what the “One Love” video means…

wiL: [Laughs] Oh yeah…

pixie: So… what does the “One Love” video mean?

Angel: [Laughs] You really want to know? Or is that a joke?

wiL: It’s more like a visual piece of art that we wanted to
create. We just wanted to confuse people with a creative piece of art.

Angel: We just wanted to make something that got your
attention visually, as opposed to just music. If we creeped you out? Then we
accomplished our goal.

pixie: I think it’s confusing with the little girl, and she
looks so sad at the end…

Angel: The little girl is supposed to be addiction and she’s
supposed to be holding both human strength [the buff guy] and vanity [the gay
guy] … holding both back and when they break free, she’s sad.

pixie: I like that you’re intelligent, as people have
actually claimed “Aiden is racist! There’s a black man in chains in the video!”

Angel: Yeaaaah… I know, but if you pay attention, it’s not racist at
all.

pixie: Of course not. So, are You
guys tired of being photographed with flowers yet?

wiL: Nope.

Angel: Not really, no. I kind of like it… it’s a nice change
from fucking coffins and blood. I am so over that shit. Flowers are good!

pixie: And now that the album is out, how has the response been?

wiL: It’s been good. A lot of people are into it.

Angel: Some people like it, some people hate it…but we like
it, so that’s all that matters.

pixie: I think it’s better to be loved and hated, rather
than ignored, right?

Angel: Absolutely.

pixie: You guys don’t inspire much middle ground… a lot of
“I love Aiden…” or…

wiL: FUCK AIDEN.

pixie: So I see you guys have been getting tattooed
backstage… what did everybody get? You couldn’t see it clearly on your video?

Angel: I got my chest done… it says “this heart can’t
pretend” and it’s a lyric from “She Will Love You.” I just liked it, and he
wrote it and that’s why I got it. [Note: this resulted in a rather awkward attempt for me to all but shove my camera down the poor guy’s shirt… and it did not work out well.]

pixie: And what did you get?

wiL: I got “Time stopped and time squared” [on his hands.]
It’s just kind of a personal reference for myself.

pixie: If you don’t want that in, I can take it out.

wiL: Nah, it’s fine.

pixie: Is it common to get tattooed backstage? Do you do
that a lot?

wiL: Yeah, we do that every once in a while…

Angel: I do it every tour.

pixie: I was always trying to figure out where you got all
your tattoos done with all your touring.

Angel: Backstage rooms, buses, wherever…

pixie: So, have you guys planned the next video yet?

Angel: Yeah, we’re kind of in the works now. I can’t really
say anything about it yet…

wiL: It’s a secret.

Angel: Very secret.

wiL: It’s going to be good.

pixie: Oh, come on, I want to know.

wiL: [he actually winked] Sorry.

pixie: Okay, well, after this tour, you’re heading all over
the world with the Taste of Chaos, what are your expectations for that?

wiL: Yeah, we’re really excited about this tour… it’s 24
countries with The Used and Rise Against. It’s going to be a good time. Lots of
travel. Lots of good shows. It’s going
to be great.

Angel: We’re going to Japan…
[gives the thumbs up]

pixie: Have you been to Japan
before:

wiL: Not yet

pixie: What’s the most exciting part about going to Japan?

wiL: I don’t know… we haven’t been there!

Angel: The kids. I heard…

wiL: Sushi.

Angel: Yeah! Sushi! And I heard the kids there are all
insane.

pixie: They know all the words when you watch videos,
they’ll be all dressed up like you guys. …Not that the people out here are
doing a bad job of that.

[laughter]

pixie: So what do you guys do when you’re not playing? How
do you kill the time?

Angel: Interviews, interviews…

pixie: Sorry…

[laughter]

wiL: Watch movies…

Angel: Sleep.

wiL: Take showers.

Angel: Poop. Quite a bit. [laughs] We do what we can. Read.
Watch movies.

pixie: What’s the last book you read and what’s the last
movie you watched?
wiL: The last book I read was “Choke” by Chuck Palahniuk

Angel: The last book I read was “The Dirt” by Motley Crue and
the last movie I saw was… Knocked Up.

wiL: The last movie I saw was Superbad.

Angel: Oh yeah! Superbad.

pixie: You guys actually get out to the theatres and stuff?
That’s cool. You also like horror movies, no?

wiL: Yes.

pixie: What did you guys think of Dead Silence, honestly? [The band’s song “We Sleep Forever” is on
the soundtrack and the video features clips from the movie]

Angel: I haven’t seen it.

wiL: I thought it was pretty good. I mean, for a cheesy
horror movie, you had Donnie Wahlberg, you had puppets…

pixie: I was surprised by it, too…. Better than I thought.
So, let’s say you could make any merchandise on earth - like how KISS has
coffins and stuff? What would you make?

Angel: I’d make an Aiden airplane. Just for us.

wiL: I agree with that.

Angel: It would be just for us. Fly into shows.

pixie: I think you should definitely do that. So do you have
anything to say to the fans?
wiL: Just thanks to all the fans, thanks for coming to all
the shows… hope you like the new album…

Angel: Be good!

wiL: Rock and roll!

Angel! Yeeeeeah!

Here is some photo evidence of the band’s amazing show:

wiL opens the show