Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Ryan Sloan - Vocal, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Songwriter

Zach Calidonna - Bass

Mauricio Salazar - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Chris Luna - Drums, Vocals

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Wyland? How long has the band been around?

I floated a project with my brother on drums when I lived out in California that never really took off or went anywhere; we just enjoyed playing, but we were so scattered musically. It did start my love affair with effect pedals and for that I'm eternally thankful. I guess if you know me, this obscure band is worth mentioning just for that last fact. - MS

In 2014, I was in a band called The Overnighters in Syracuse, NY when I met Wyland. - ZC

Chris was in a great band called Living In Time Machines prior to Wyland and before Wyland, I wouldn’t say I was in anything. I was more of an observer of other bands and musicians. - RS

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Ryan primarily brings the nearly completed music to the rest of us and we'll provide input and help structure it. There's been times when Ryan has recorded my noodling on guitar and it's turned into full blown songs. We're trying to write more collectively as of recent. The fact that we all come from such diverse music backgrounds has been a blessing and curse, but we've gotten better at finding those common grounds. As far as lyrics go, that's all Ryan though. - MS

I think everything changes and that’s a good thing. Things that stay the same get stale. I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. There’s something about the sea that takes my imagination somewhere really far away. - RS

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

I’ve been falling in love with the new Ed Sheehan songs, the lovely Maggie Rodgers and a band called COLLEAGUES.

I'm personally less inspired by artists that are we get compared to, in all honesty. I've really been into BØRNS, Chance the Rapper, The Lone Bellow, and WOMPS lately, which have nothing to do with us. - MS

In terms of personal inspiration I have been listening to Bear's Den and Peter Gabriel, I dig the feel of their catalog. Though our music is different, I feel like they set the bar songwriting. - ZC

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

The Beatles. Everything they did and stood for made me want to get out of my bedroom when I was a teenager and play out. - MS

The first album I can remember listening to was The Joshua Tree. From there, any live album from any group really got my blood pumping. - RS

Hearing Behind Blue Eyes and Pinball Wizard changed my outlook on many things. I knew immediately that I had to start playing. So I bought a bass. - ZC

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

I have to stretch, meditate a bit and do some vocal exercises, then I’m good to go. - RS

Try not to drink too much. Sometimes I'll join in Ryan's vocal warmups. - MS

It is nice to have a beer before the show. Haha. Personally I like to listen to some live songs by my favorite artists and hone in on the energy create on those recordings. It gets me fired up for the stage. - ZC

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

It's nice when you have so many fond memories to look back on, but if I had to pick just one, it would have been playing the Gentlemen of the Road festival in Seaside Heights, NJ. Everything just started to snowball for the better after that weekend. - MS

Ditto. Not to sound dramatic but I think that was the beginning of Wyland. - RS

For me, playing at PlayStation Theater in New York City was pretty magical. It felt like we belonged on that stage. The feeling was overwhelming. - ZC

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Can I say the The Beatles again? - MS

I would be down to tour with Mumford and Sons. They seem to know how to have a good time. - ZC

I’ve seen The Flaming Lips do some wild things on stage, I’d like to learn a thing or two from Wayne Coyne. - RS

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yeah, please support the ACLU and take care of each other.

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Upcoming Shows

Jan 24 - New York, NY @ Arlene's Grocery