Will from Big Words Sucks: “I Wasted So Much Time Annoying People”
We spoke to Big Words’ Will Scullin about getting his car towed, medical marijuana, and AI TikToks.
The night I discovered Big Words was kind of a beautiful accident.
Walking through Melbourne on a beautiful evening in 2017, I made my way to St Paul’s Cathedral to see one of the best rappers to ever come out of this country, Baro, who was headlining a gig. There, I witnessed an emerging R&B act play a set I’ve never forgotten: the gulf between the quality of their live show (which left everyone mesmerised) and their unassuming stage presence couldn’t have been wider. From then on, I’ve known a secret that many people have come to discover at some point since: Big Words are one of Australia’s best bands.
Fast forward to 2023, and the trio have just released their long-awaited debut album, Nightmares of a Stardom Dream, which captures the trials and tribulations of chasing your dreams in your 20s. The album, which has been in production since 2018, truly embodies the idea of having a champagne taste on a beer budget. The band’s spent countless hours trading favours and pulling rabbits out of hats (metaphorically, of course) to bring their vision to life.
To mark the album’s release, Junkee spoke to Big Words’ Will Scullin about getting his car towed, medical marijuana, and Minecraft AI TikToks. On NOASD, the band’s mixed elements of R&B, folk, pop and soul in a sonic cauldron, emerging with a project that captures the gamut of emotions people experience in your 20s. Does getting older suck? Sure, depending on who you ask. But it can also be intensely rewarding.
Junkee: A mistake that turned into an opportunity?
When I made ‘Speed Racer’, I was working out of a tiny studio in Collingwood that was behind a building site. I was there most days, and would take naps on the studio floor sometimes in between day and night jobs.
I was going through a terrible friend break-up at the time and one day in between two jobs I made these drums inspired by a Mk.gee song I liked at the time. Then I wrote some chords with a synth patch I’ve never been able to recreate and left it on my computer for ages. When I wrote the vocals my car got towed twice in one week and then we had ‘Speed Racer’.
Cringe quote you used to live by?
Never let the bastards get you down, it’s not that cringe, but they still get me down.
Worst advice you got and blindly followed?
I wish I hadn’t finished school. I wasted so much time annoying people when I could’ve been doing anything else. My dad wanted me to drop out, but my mum forced me to stay. Turns out I didn’t need it at all.
The worst failure you’re up for sharing, and what you learned from it?
I honestly can’t think of anything I would outright describe as a failure. We’ve definitely done some things, songs, and videos that I’m not super proud of and subsequently have learnt how to do things better. But I think those experiences are just avenues to learn — as hard as they may have been, I wouldn’t call them failures.
Anything you used to be wrong about?
I used to be wrong about hating weed. Once I tried that medical gas, I fell in love. The key is to just have a little bit, the same as you would with alcohol. Very calming for my traffic jam of a brain.
Embarrassing Internet habit?
Watching every single Joe Biden, [Barack] Obama and [Donald] Trump Minecraft AI gaming TikToks.
Editor’s note: This is what Will’s talking about, for those unfamiliar. Was short-form video a mistake? Absolutely not.
Ideal morning routine versus actual morning routine?
Luckily for me my morning routine is my ideal. I get up, make coffee and read for a bit, then go surfing, that’s it. Living on the coast is the best life.
Something very off-brand for you?
It’s a little off-brand, but probably being totally obsessed with golf. I started playing about a year ago, and I’ll never stop.
Bad health decision?
Durries, sometimes.
What do you waste money on?
Really lovely bottles of wine.
Worst procrastination habit?
Playing chess on my computer while I’m meant to be doing 10 other things.
Big Words’ debut album Nightmares of a Stardom Dream is out now. To celebrate the album’s release, they’re set to play shows in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne in August and September. You can find out more by clicking on the city names.
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Illustration credit: Matt Lauricella, @pigeonboyart