Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Ziegler. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Wild Tinderbox started in the spring of 2014 after guitarist/vocalist Jay Ziegler had gone to SXSW 2014 that year, caught a few bands’ performances, and was inspired to finally start something fresh after moving to Austin in 2012. The initial lineup of the band was together for only a few months, with founding bassist Mike Prosser (aside from Ziegler) remaining the sole constant member. After gigging around Central Texas primarily in Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio, the band recorded their debut self-titled EP in 2016. Shortly after the EP was released, and another drummer change later, longtime drummer and co-vocalist Brad Whitfield joined the band in May 2016. This is where the band hit their stride.
After a year of gigging locally and writing new material, the band did a short four date out-of-state tour to Florida in September 2017. Returning to Texas, the band cut their first album, “Daughters Of Lightning,” at Stinston Studios with producer/engineer Mark Schroth (who also produced the band’s first EP). Mixing and mastering duties were handled by Alex Spradling in DeBary, Florida. The band continued to gig more around Central Texas and expanded into other parts of the state such as Houston, San Angelo, Denton, and so forth. The band also took on their own six date out-of-state tour dubbed the “Escape From Hell Tour” which saw the band play shows in Franklin, Tennessee and Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
After a year of more gigs and exploration, the band decided to change course and work with Austin producer Jason Richard at Clock Right Studio for their second album, “Hardboiled Fire.” Released in April of 2020 during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, it received solid reviews. Despite the positive reception, the band entered into a fifteen months extended hiatus due to the pandemic. In May of 2021, the band reunited and began work on new material, as well as getting back to the stage. Teaming up with Jason Richard and Alex Spradling once more, the band released an updated version of their song, “Back For The Attack,” on July 23rd, 2021 as a standalone single as a tribute to their resilience to the pandemic.
After playing a handful of local Austin festivals in 2021 (namely, Skunkfest ’21 and Summer Sesh III at Independence Brewing Co.) the band took time to work on songs which eventually will be released on their upcoming third album, “Heretics And Heatseekers,” due to be released on Friday, July 29th, 2022. In preparation for the album, two singles have been released: “Overdrive” and “Attack, Conquer, Destroy.” The same team of Jason Richard and Alex Spradling are present once more on the production and mastering sides of this upcoming album, and the band has said it’ll be their heaviest offering yet.
Wild Tinderbox have shared the stage with such bands as American Sharks, Brume, Greenbeard, Holy Death Trio, Las Cruces, The Hazytones, Kirra, Red Beard Wall, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol and others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, the band has had a relatively smooth road. Despite some early lineup changes, bassist Mike Prosser has been a constant rock throughout the band’s run. After two previous drummers and a second guitarist very early on, the addition of drummer Brad Whitfield in May of 2016 has made this band run like a well-oiled machine. The band took an extended hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, but during that time, new song ideas emerged and songs came about. In a way, by us staying apart for so long but keeping in constant contact made the band stronger and fiercer than before. The band’s newest record, “Heretics And Heatseekers” which will be released on Friday, July 29th, 2022, is a major reflection of our times and tribulations of said hiatus.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For me (Jay Ziegler), I specialize mainly in the contact/networking part of the band, as well as do some of the writing and arranging of our material. Mike, our bassist, is the treasurer of the band and handles all of the logistics and coordination of the financial parts of the band. Brad, our drummer, handles all of the artwork/illustration and the merchandise. Each member carries their weight very well.
What I’m proud of is that in addition to making music we enjoy, we’ve found a great balance with everyone’s natural talents. We really do work well as a strong team, and it’s been consistent for years. We’re known for being consummate professionals, as well as one helluva live rock band.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Jay: My advice for finding a mentor and/or networking is to show up. If a band is playing, show up and support them. Introduce yourself and go from there. Another thing we do is keep extensive notes on everything: venues, bands, showdates, songs, etc. We’re big on Excel spreadsheets and this has helped us tremendously in keeping current information up to date, as well as for remembering important contacts, venues, etc. We highly recommend this route for new bands and anyone really to follow, as it’s helped us for the past eight years and counting.
Contact Info:
- Website: wildtinderbox.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildtinderbox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildTinderbox
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildtinderbox
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/wildtinderbox
Image Credits
All live photos by Aidan Ross. “Overdrive” artwork and Wild Tinderbox band logo photo by Brad Whitfield. “Attack, Conquer, Destroy” and “Heretics And Heatseekers” art by Steven Yoyada.
