Q&A: Still Woozy Chats About New Album: If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is

Still Woozy, otherwise known as Sven Gamsky, released his debut album, If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is on August 13th, 2021. The new album contains 13 tracks with each one drawing influence from an electric range of genres and artists. Still Woozy emphasizes the sheer amount of dedication, effort, and passion that went into his official debut. He spent hours in an apartment in Portland with his friend and producer Lars Stalfors, the two of them drowning in instruments, bouncing ideas back and forth until the album was born. The album is a special work and every track has an intricate story behind its genesis. 

The album is a melting pot of genre, sound, and instrumentation. One standout track to me is “Drake.” Still Woozy states that this is one of his personal favorite tracks, and is inspired by guitarist Pete Drake and his song, “Forever.” Upon first listen, it is apparent where “Drake” drew its influence: the guitar, the sound, and of course, the staple 6/8 waltz time signature. 

My other personal favorite, “Get By,” is an upbeat track that contains Still Woozy’s own favorite line where he sings: “I locked you out and fell asleep. You 007’d your way back in. I’ll never doubt you again.” Woozy says “Get By” is also the song he is most excited to perform live.

Ecstatic to share his album with the world, Still Woozy joined a press conference hosted by 1824 records where Berkeley B-Sides was able to ask him about his new album. Here’s what Still Woozy has to say about If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is:

What would you say has been the most exciting part of making If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is? 

I think the most exciting part has been giving voice to the other sides of my writer brain. I like feeling those songs have a home. Like “These Days,” which isn’t a big single song, but I feel like it is really important. It’s exciting to share that.

Was there a specific aesthetic or feeling you wanted to encompass on this album?

Honestly, no. It was about trying to get as many of my influences onto the same piece of work. It was to show people that they can’t really expect anything because there are too many things I want to do. I want to put that out there, almost as a disclaimer in the form of an album, that my career can go in a lot of ways musically.

You said your favorite line from the album is from “Get By” when you say, “I locked you out and fell asleep and you 007’d your way back in. I’ll never question you again” what is the story behind this line? How did it come to mind?

It’s a combination of stories. I was talking to Lars and we would talk for hours about random stuff.  His partner has a fixation with locking all the doors in the house. He would go take the trash out and then he would come back and be locked out of his own house. It would only take him like 30 seconds, but she would be flitting around and locking all the doors and stuff. I also have a story where I locked my friend out after a night of drinking. It’s a longer story that I don’t have time for right now, but basically, it’s a combination of life experiences.

What are some of your favorite songs on If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is? 

I go back and forth. I have like three, [so] I’ll just pick one. Maybe “These Days.” It’s the last one. I remember writing it and I wrote the guitar part and I played it on repeat. I think I was stressed out and upset and it helped so much to relax. Even just writing it, recording it, and playing it back was my own therapy. It was a special moment. It feels immediate to me, I don’t know. 

What about a song you’re particularly proud of?

I think “All Along” is the one I’m most proud of. It’s the most personal that I’ve ever got with a song. It’s something I’ve never written about before. I usually write about my partner, but that one isn’t about her which is an added bonus. Also, there are vocals on one where I kind of scream? Well, yell, not scream. Really loud, I’m usually softer. It’s something I really worked for and got something I really liked. I was really proud of that. 

Which song are you most excited to perform live?

Probably “Get By.” The pace and the choruses and the production are going to be really special live. 

The song ‘Drake’ opens with a folksy acoustic guitar, which is unexpected in terms of your usual sound. Any chance this song is named in honor of Nick Drake who is known for his acoustic guitar-based songs?

I love Nick Drake, but it was named after Pete Drake. He has a song called “Forever.” You should look on Youtube it’s this really beautiful 50s song. It’s in 6/8 so it has this swingy feel. Usually, songs are in 4/4, like all pop music songs are in 4/4. I don’t know, I just wanted to do a song in a different time signature. His songs are kind of Motown-y and super dreamy. It’s a beautiful song and I was like I just want to capture this feeling.  

Who or what inspired you to start making music? 

I’ve been making music since I was like 11 or 12. People that inspired me back then were probably like Jack Johnson and Sublime or John Mayer. I think what inspired the Still Woozy project was probably more like D’Angelo and Steve Lacy. A little bit different. 

Since I write for Berkeley B-side and since you grew up in the Bay, do you have a favorite spot in Berkeley? 

My favorite spot to eat is a Thai restaurant called Champa Garden in Oakland. I would always go there to sit down and eat. I haven’t been indoors to eat in so long.  

I’m going to tell them you shouted them out, maybe they’ll put you on their wall somewhere. 

Hell yeah. Champa Garden. So good. 

Still Woozy starts up his United States tour in mid-September. He loves a good mosh pit and says his new stuff is a little rowdy, so be sure to open the pit this fall. 

Written by Jax Samsell 

Design by Amabelle Morning

Photo by Universal Music Group