Interview with Alex and Nat Wolff
Teenage brothers, recording artists, and actors Nat and Alex Wolff starred on the hugely popular Nickelodeon series “The Naked Brothers Band” from 2007-2009. Born to actor director screenwriter Polly Draper and jazz pianist and composer Michael Wolff, the talented duo has released two studio albums as The Naked Brothers Band to wide acclaim. Their third studio album, and the first to be released under their own names, Nat and Alex Wolff, is titled “Black Sheep” and dropped this past October.
The Wolff brothers are in town to play a show at The Note in West Chester, PA on Tuesday evening (February 22nd, 2012) and we had some questions for them before they hit the stage.
Independent Philly: You got your start on the Nickelodeon series “The Naked Brothers Band”. Tell us about the experience of working on the show.
Wolff Brothers: It was a great experience. We became better actors and musicians because of the show. We were able to work with family and our best friends.
IP: For those who aren’t familiar with the show, why was it called “The Naked Brothers Band”?
WB: When we were young kids, one day we got out of the bathtub and said, we should be “The Naked Brothers Band.” And later on we laughed and thought it should be the name of the band.
IP: As the sons of an actor and musician, did you ever feel pulled to choose acting over music or vice versa?
WB: We think of music and acting as two different ways to express ourselves creatively.
IP: Who came up with the name “Black Sheep” for your new album? What meaning does it hold for you?
WB: Nat: We came up with the name at the airport. We were messing around, being loud and crazy…getting a lot of dirty looks. So Alex says, “We are kinda the black sheep of the airport.” Then I say, “We are kinda the black sheep everywhere.” It’s about us and our lives….what we were going through at that time.
IP: How many instruments can the two of you play? What are they?
WB: Alex- 5, piano, guitar, drums, violin, and ukelele. Nat- 4, piano, guitar, bass, and atanatone.
IP: We know you wrote all of the songs for “Black Sheep”, how important was it to you to have all of the creative control?
WB: We don’t know if we could have done the album without creative control because we are both stubborn and feel passionate about our music. We did however, hire a producer we respect and trust.
IP: Tell us about your method for writing songs.
WB: We usually write late at night and do a first draft, and then go back and polish it.
IP: Who are your biggest musical influences? Which actors inspire you the most?
WB: The Beatles, Dylan, Replacements, Simon and Garfunkel. Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Ryan Gosling, Jesse Eisenberg.
IP: Aside from music & acting, what do you like to do for fun?
WB: Basketball, working out, ya know writing screen plays.
IP: Do either of you have a girlfriend?
WB: Alex: Jessica Alba and I just broke up…now Keira Knightley and I are in a nice relationship.
IP: What can fans expect at a Nat and Alex Wolff concert?
WB: A good mix of “Black Sheep” and “Naked Brothers Band” and absolute chaos.
IP: What music is getting the most play on your IPOD these days?
WB: Wilco, Kid Cudi, Bon Iver.
IP: Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
WB: Alex: Hopefully still doing music and acting. Nat: Working with my sexy brother.
IP: Tell us something that would surprise, or even shock our readers….
WB: Alex: Nat and I are preparing to conquer the universe. Nat: And Alex is planning to propose to Keira Knightley.
You can grab tickets to see Nat and Alex Wolff at The Note on Tuesday evening by CLICKING HERE. The show starts at 730pm (doors at 630pm).
Great answers
Alex, don’t be sad! you’re surely gonna be as happy as you were together with Jessica Alba =P
Boys, you’re amazing, I wish I could go to one of your concerts, but you know…. Brazil isn’t two hundred twenty-five thousand miles away from U.S, however it’s not one mile as well.
Someday i will meet you guys (yn)