Uncut Collective Media
Wavy Trees Talk Going DIY, Brotherhood, and a Future Fueled by Fire
May 12, 2025 • by Phyoe Thaung
The beauty of rock doesn’t just lie in the thunderous hooks or infectious melodies. It’s in the grit of the journey—especially when that journey is littered with rough beginnings, late-night jam sessions, and toaster metaphors. For Los Angeles-based psych rockers Wavy Trees, the process has been just as electric as the product.
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In a candid conversation, frontman Zack "Moondog" Smith, bassist Brian Duke, and guitarist Jason Espiritu opened up about the band’s origins, their fiercely independent mindset, and the music that’s erupting from it all.
Photos courtesy of Araya Fehlman (@heaven2nite_)
Manifested From the Noise
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Wavy Trees’ story kicks off in 2019, but its roots stretch further back. Smith had been watching Brian and Jason perform in their previous band, Fire the Animal, long before the Trees took root.
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"I used to go to all their shows and be like, man, if only I had those two guys in my band," Smith recalled. That wish manifested during what Duke described as a surreal moment: a phone call in the middle of a life insurance meeting. "We're talking about APRs and insurance plans, and Zack hits me up like, 'I need a bass player at the studio.'"
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That studio, as it turns out, wasn’t some DIY bedroom setup. It was NRG Studios—iconic territory where bands like Linkin Park cut their teeth. "I probably should’ve learned the song before walking in," Duke joked. "But we jammed and it just worked."
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The band’s first jam session happened to fall on Smith’s birthday. "It was June 12, 2019. Brian brought Jason along and by the end, we were like, oh shit, this is something."
Reinventing From the Rubble
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Though the band's early phase saw momentum, not everything went smoothly. After facing internal friction and external hurdles in the industry, they made the decision to reboot with full autonomy.
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"We started doing everything ourselves," said Smith. "We said, we're going to cut out all the labels. We're going to cut out everything that is not beneficial and we're going to make this thing happen ourselves."
​The band’s mantra? Closer to the toaster.
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"It’s the saying of our lives," Smith laughed. "The closer you get to the toaster, it starts heating up. And when the toast pops? Everything explodes. It’s exciting."
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It’s a chaotic metaphor, sure, but it fits a band that's constantly simmering with energy and potential.
Channeling the Unknown
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When asked about their creative process, the band emphasized how natural—and often spontaneous—it all is.
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"Sometimes Zack brings in a nearly finished song," said Duke. "Other times it’s just a riff, and we jam it out in rehearsal. Our latest single, 'Nothing But You,' came together in 30 minutes."
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Smith elaborated on his own approach: "I don’t write from a formula. It’s all channeled. I just pick up a guitar or hum a melody, and the lyrics come with it. It’s like the dead are speaking through me."
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According to Duke, that energy shows up fast: "Zack will get the concept, the story, and most of the lyrics within the first takes. Then he’ll take it on a hike and come back with the rest."
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The band also hinted at using a new demo app to catalog their growing archive of over 100 song ideas. Their debut full-length album is due out in November—with album two already brewing.
Big Moves, Bigger Dreams
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While 2024 is about tightening their release strategies, 2025 is the year Wavy Trees want to hit the road hard.
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"Touring is our next big move," said Smith. "We’ve got new genres we’re experimenting with—there’s even a reggae-inspired track coming. We want to share this with the world."
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On the bucket list? Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
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"I watched Incubus’ live set there as a kid," said Smith. "It’s been a dream since."
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For Espiritu, the Hollywood Bowl is a holy grail. Duke dreams of playing European festivals: "We always said the moment we see the flags waving at a Euro fest, that’s when we’ve made it."
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Soundtrack to a Dream Tour
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When it comes to dream collaborators, the band has a few names in mind.
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"Skegss from Australia—we partied all night, got matching tattoos," Smith laughed. "It’d be sick to tour with them."
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Others on the wish list include The Strokes, White Reaper, and Blink-182. "We’d love to jump on a Blink tour," said Espiritu. "That’d be insane."
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Jam Eternal: Words to Live By
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To close things out, the band shared the advice they hold closest.
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"Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins once told me, ‘Never stop jamming,’" said Smith. "That’s always stayed with me."
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"A mentor once told me, you could play guitar every day or go into the desert and take acid—you’ll still come back with something to say," Smith added. "Wavy Trees was made somewhere in between all of that."
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Espiritu emphasized the importance of self-reliance: "Learn everything—recording, DAWs, engineering—so you’re not reliant on anyone."
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And as Smith put it, simply and defiantly: "Put us in front of anyone. We will cook."
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Follow Wavy Trees on Instagram for the latest updates, and stream their newest single, "Nothing But You," now available on all major platforms.