WatchTheDuck Releases Anatidaephobia
“Gamechanger” is not a term that should be used lightly in music, but when it comes to WatchTheDuck, feel free to toss that word around. This band combines pure talent with fierce dedication and discipline, mixing in a heavy dose of the “it factor” that keeps a party going…and going…and going…
Band members Jesse Rankins (lead vocals), Eddie Smith (bass) and Jonathan Wells (keyboard) smacked the sleeping public awake with their song “Poppin’ Off.” The YouTube Video received over half a million views on word-of-mouth alone and it’s no wonder: this song was the first to feature “Soul-step,” a term used to describe the sound perfected by the Atlanta-based collective ~ a fusion of soul, R&B, hip hop, & bass-heavy electronic music.
Peep the video for “Poppin’ Off” ~ MTVu’s Freshman Competition winner ~ HERE.
Don’t be fooled by the seemingly light-hearted band name; it has a deeper meaning that comes from the band’s years of experience and maturity beyond their actual ages. In simplest terms, “Watch the duck” is a mantra of positivity and persistence ~ a duck appears to glide effortlessly through the waves, but beneath the water, he’s battling adversity with each kick.
“It’s about trying to keep a steady face when you are struggling like hell,” Smith explained. “We can honestly say that we’ve lived off music for the past 8-9 years. There were no odd jobs. We had to make it work. I’m going to be honest, there were some months that we were a little shy of the rent. But at the same time, you have to stay inspired and creative.”
Through the tough times, WatchTheDuck has kept the creative juices flowing. All members are experienced DJs and over the years, the band has become an underground sensation by throwing house parties that attracted all sorts of music enthusiasts from the hip hop, dubstep, and electro communities.
On March 4, the group is taking it to the next level with the release of their debut EP, Anatidaephobia (For those who need to brush up on your phobias, Anatidaephobia is literally the fear that you are being watched by a duck.). And WatchTheDuck, with their trademark “duck” who shows up in the videos and at the live shows, are currently on tour and slated to perform at SXSW.
Despite having schedules packed with creative and performance demands, the band still has the time, and the heart, to think of others. Rankins and Wells recently revealed to Flashwounds that not only do they feel education, especially the kind provided by magnet schools, is extremely important for cultivating upcoming generations of talent, but raw experience is one of the best ways for the youth to learn how great they can be.
“Sometimes you look up to stuff because it’s all you know. But then you go somewhere else and you realize that you want to be something else,” says Wells. “Sometimes you need confirmation that your wildest dreams aren’t crazy.”
Catch WatchTheDuck on one of these upcoming dates:
March 4 New York @BET 106 & Park
March 7 New York @Santos (downstairs)
March 8 Boston @ Brighton Music Hall
March 11 Austin, TX @ SXSW Spotify House
March 15 Austin, TX @ SXSW 508 House
March 16 Austin, TX @ SXSW Dorito Bold Stage
https://twitter.com/@watchtheduck