Q&A - Declan Walsh & the Decadent West

DWDW are a band from Glasgow with a focus on intelligent, relatable lyrics, catchy hooks and an electric live show. A prolific writer, Welsh and his band (Duncan McBride, Guitar, Ben Corlett, Bass and Murray Noble, Drums) have already released 4 EPs and 1 Album to critical acclaim, receiving a Scottish Album of The Year Award nomination for their debut Cheaply Bought Expensively Sold, as well as BBC Introducing Track of the Week for its opener No Fun. 

Now, The Decadent West announce the release of their long awaited second album entitled ‘2’, due for release on September 22nd. Recorded between Los Angeles and Glasgow throughout the previous 12 months, the album offers a distinct shift from the taut alternative rock that saw them gather a fervent fan base across Scotland, the rest of the UK, Europe and the Americas - signaling a band with ambitions far beyond what they have already achieved.

📸 - Graham Noble

You recorded '2' between Glasgow and LA. Can you tell us more about the making of your second studio album ? 

It was a great experience. Seeing your songs come to life is always the most exciting part of it and I had never been more involved in every aspect of a song that I was with these demos. Usually before that I had an idea in my head but we’d come together as a band and figure the music out around a guitar and vocal part. This time I’d written everything on ableton and had fleshed out the songs with a lot more in terms of arrangement. Luca instantly got what we were about and we worked really well together. An incredibly talented producer. I think he made the album a lot more consistent sonically. It goes to a few places but retains something important when it does. It was a very relaxed experience. We had a lot of room to improvise and try stuff and that’s always fun. I think some of my favourite guitar lines in this are improvised. 

You ticked off a memorable TRNSMT main stage slot alongside Pulp this past summer (which went viral following your passionate pro-Palestine speech). What action needs to happen now and how can other people help?

share stuff online. If you can make your own content great but if not amplify other voices. Prioritise Palestinian voices, and after that consider what is the most effective messaging for the people who’d see your page. Come to marches. Join Palestinian solidarity campaign. Consider direct action. Get involved generally, be vocal and do your research so you know how to deal with the people who want to keep bombing kids and their arguments. Be patient and relentless. Remember we’re fighting for something and not just against genocide. None of us are free until all of us are. Liberating Palestine is something we should all feel privileged to play a small role in. 

If you could change anything in the world right now, what would it be ?

I think if you could wave a magic wand and make everyone act in good faith and be honest w their intentions capitalism would fall in about 3 weeks. But in terms of actual things you could change, if you could introduce a global wealth tax that was redistributed to colonised nations I think you empower countries to grow, they don’t rely on things like IMF or USA/UK aid so they can actually be allowed to elect socialist governments who have a chance of succeeding. But without genuine revolutionary change I’m sure we’d find a way to stop even that from working.

What other artists are you loving from Scotland just now ?

so we played some gigs in Glasgow and had amazing pals along and I’ve not stopped listening to them all ever since. Psweatpants, Hanny Moon, Theo Bleak, Plasticine, Slix, Brogeal, The Zebecks and Cameron Ferguson. 

Where are you looking forward to playing most on your upcoming international tour?

Amsterdam, Prague and Budapest were playing for the first time and they’re already sold out which is mad, so I think they three top the list but honestly everywhere. I love getting to play in different parts of the world. The best part about doing this. 

Connect with DWDW here

DWDW recently released their new album ‘2’ in October, give it a listen down below