Work Drugs

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My summer has just begun. You might wonder how’s that possible. Well, I’m listening to ‘Curious Serge’, the newest single from Philadelphia trio Work Drugs.
Work Drugs is Thomas Crystal, Benjamin Louisiana and Joan Wellfleet. They just released their double debut album ‘Tropic of Cancer/ Tropic of Capricorn’ and will be supporting Two Door Cinema Club on their upcoming tour.
Think love, dreamy voices and catchy melodies, long walks by the sea… enjoy!

Interview written from the perspective of Thomas Crystal.

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

As long as it involves peanut butter, mint, and / or chocolate… we are satisfied.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Work Drugs is just about us (Ben, Joan, and myself) making music that we enjoy. Music that reminds us of our warmer and more care free days in the Caribbean. Dancing, swimming, smoking… laying out under the stars.
We are avid sailors so we really wanted to write some songs that fit in nicely with our standard sailing shanties by Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Hall & Oates etc…

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

No real specific method. Sometimes songs come right to us… and sometimes we need to work on them. Taking a short sail on the Chesapeake usually gets our creative winds blowing.

How do you make a living?

One fish at a time.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

We love it! Many more (free) songs waiting in the bait box…

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

I’ll speak for Ben and Joan here when I say that it has to be Michael McDonald. A little blue-eyed soul can go a long way.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Dubstep. I don’t think we have the equipment to catch that kind of bass.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

We really can’t get enough of Kings of Convenience… but if we are talking bands local to Philadelphia… it would have to be Sun Airway and Slutever. There are some special things happening in Philly these days. Must be the water.



download track Third Wave

*Third Wave*

it’s in the way you smile, I’m broken
spinning just like the nighttime, unfolding
sailing away down to the keys,
loosing our rhythm to the ocean breeze
you and I are exactly where we want to be

the sea reminds me we’re not in love,
holding on to nothing

diving alone into the water
looking for answers, I can’t be bothered
where did it all go wrong
where do I want to be?

smooth sailin’

the sea reminds me we’re not in love
(if I told you I want you)
(if I told you I need you)
(if I told you I love you)
holding on to nothing



download track Curious Serge

*Curious Serge*

You were 23 and dying alone
Jealous lovers, selling off the loan
Taunting me with every little goodbye
Begging me to touch you, touch you all night

It gets better, oh it gets better, it gets better

(I can’t believe) then you showed me you’re not for me
(I can’t believe) with your style, with your smile
(I can’t believe) trippin over the same bad dreams,
I can’t believe you’re all mine

Wind is blowin out (wind is blowin out)
Bows creak, moving to the south
Time is running out (time is running out)
Seasons tease, rushing in and out

(I can’t believe) then you showed me you’re not for me
(I can’t believe) with your style, with your smile
(I can’t believe) trippin over the same bad dreams,
I can’t believe you’re all mine

You’re looking through me