Interview: Willy's Fun House

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Willy's Fun House is the solo comedy, weird, absurdist folk (?) project of Will Ratchford from Borger, Texas. Everything that's he's put out so far is eerily good. I (Carter) had the pleasure of interviewing him.

So, you just released your new EP entitled "Mad", what else do you have planned for release?

Will: Well, when I finish putting together The Housekeepers, I'll start to put together a new concept album titled "Welcome To". I have no dates or plans, but all I can say is soon.

You also have a split with Natural Numbers, is that right?

W: Yeah, I just finished my side of the split. I don't know when he is going to be finished with his. It'll have two songs each, and we are both covering one of the other's song. I did Don't Ever which is one of my favorite songs by Trevor.

Now it's time to ask one of the most basic questions in the book. Who or what would you say are your biggest influences recently?
W: Recently would probably be Pink Floyd even though Willy's Fun House will probably sound nothing like it.

I recently heard your debut LP "Charcoal Wilder". I was uber-pleased with it. Could you explain how you recorded it and how long it took to make?
W: Well, I got out my old Mr. Mike from the Toy Story tape recorder I got when I was about three or four (I have a home-video of me opening it on Christmas. I should upload it sometime), tape with a Rush Limbaugh recording, and started to record over it for the track "Willy the Great". I was basically messing around and joking with my friends. Counting all the breaks I took on making the whole thing I would say about three weeks.

I noticed that your lyrics are weird and have an occasional creepiness to them. What has influenced or possibly possessed you to write these songs?
W: I'm really influenced by movies most of the time. "Run Away! Run Away!" on Charcoal Wilder is mainly about a scene from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

What bands are you currently into right now?
W: Camel, The Tornados, Jad Fair and Daniel Johnston, and The Mothers of Invention/Frank Zappa.

Are you planning on playing any shows soon? If so, do you have an outline or concept of how you'd perform?

W: I'd really like to. If I would play any shows they would probably be at ridiculous events like school talent shows and Mexican birthday parties (I live in the Texas Panhandle so there are many of them). I have plans to make them very theatrical.

All of your releases are currently unsigned. Are you planning on releasing them on a label and if so, which label?
W: No, not right now. If I do get signed that would be fine, but I'm planning on just distributing my work myself right now.

I really like the cover of the Mad EP. What film is that from?
W: It's from a British film titled "Privilege". I've never actually seen the movie before. I found the picture in a science fiction film encyclopedia I bought at a book fair. The cover from Welcome To is also from the book. That one is titled "Marooned" which again I've never seen. I plan on watching them soon though.

How often do you plan on recording this year?
W: Right now I would say a lot, but that will probably change.

Is there anything you'd like to say before signing off?

W: Goodnight.

[Willy's Fun House Myspace]