Groovin' to Governor's Ball: Interview with The Naked and Famous

Here are Empty Lighthouse, we believe that festival season is certainly the best season! Last week, Governor's Ball announced their fully stocked 2014 festival lineup.

Big names streaming across different music genres will be making an appearance and performing at the festival, set to take place the first weekend in June at Randall's Island in New York City

Among the many talented artists on this year's lineup is The Naked and Famous, an alternative rock band from Aukland, New Zealand.

The group formed in 2008, and after releasing some start up EP's, The Naked and Famous went on to record and release two studio albums - 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' in 2010 and 'In Rolling Waves' in 2013, and are best known for their young and fun anthem "Young Blood".

To prepare for the upcoming festival season, we had the chance to catch up with Jesse Wood, drummer of The Naked and Famous, to see what they have in store for fans in preparation for performing at Governor's Ball.

Read further and get to know The Naked and Famous!

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: How did you first get your start in music?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: I got in trouble for tapping and banging on things in school so decided to play drums as an excuse.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: Who are your musical influences?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: A lot of alternative music got handed down to me from my brother and sister growing up.

Eye openers for me were bands like Massive Attack, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Aphex Twin and now bands influenced by them.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: Who do you listen to in your spare time, other hobbies, etc?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Golf. I'm going to learn how to play golf.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What has been your most memorable experience while touring?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: I always come back to Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, we got to spend all three days at the festival which doesn't normally happen so having the extra time really made a difference.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What is the craziest thing you've seen a fan do to get into a show / on stage, etc.?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Met a guy in Stockholm who had flown from Russia.

We've met a few people who've travelled pretty crazy distances for a show, very flattering.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What advice would you give to other young people looking to succeed in the industry?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Don't take my advice!

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: When you hit a creativity block, what re-inspires you?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: I like to do something different for a while and get out and about then start fresh with a level head.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: How do you manage your time between your music and personal life?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Poorly.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What are your upcoming plans in regards to more touring, releases and producing new music?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Touring until at least middle of the year. That's as far as the crystal ball can see right now.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: If you could invent anything, what would it be?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Nice try, invention stealer.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: If stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want to have with you?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: A knife, matches, water filter.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: Do you have any rituals or things you must have/do before a show?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Do some yoga-ish stretches, listen to something heavy and jump around to get my heart rate up.

Try not to pee my pants.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What are you most excited about the upcoming festival season?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Currently on Big Day Out in Australia/New Zealand. Very sentimental since it's the first festival I ever went to.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: Anything else you would like to add?
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS: Thanks!

To snag your weekend passes to this year's Governor's Ball, visit www.govball.com - and for more from The Naked and Famous, visit www.thenakedandfamous.com - see you soon at Gov's Ball!