Guest 001. Weekend

Introduction
"Hello everyone and welcome to "Are We Having a Conversation?" I am your host Ryan Ross Hernandez. You may know me for my day job as a singer-songwriter and guitarist. I have been doing that for a very long time; in fact, just last year was the 20th anniversary of my debut album "Matters of the Heart" being released. I actually signed my first record deal the very same day Joshua Grimmie was conceived. True story. Now I know there has been a lot of speculation on who will be my guests on the program seeing as I have a lot of friends in this industry, so a lot of names have been thrown out there. And don't get me wrong, I love all of my friends who happen to be my peers. They are incredible. However, I'm unsure how willing they would be to come on the show. I have exhausted speaking with all of them, that they just begged me to go ahead and find some other outlet to bore folks with my constant need to hear myself talk. So, here I am! Thank you for indulging me, Apple!

Ultimately, what I want to accomplish with this talk show is create a space where artists and entertainers can open up about their lives and careers, and there is no sensationalism in the questions they are asked for any twisting of their stories. Where an individual can come and engage in thoughtful conversation about their passions in life. For the audience watching at home, I hope you can see your favorite personalities in a new light and maybe even learn more about how they got to this stage in their careers.

Today, I get to sit down with the biggest group in the world. They are five singers who did not know each other at all just a mere 11 years ago, but have gone on to take the entire damn world by storm over the last decade. Join me right now in welcoming, and feel free to cheer at home; they are Weekend!"

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"Oscar Ward. Dustyn Blue-Conners. Riley Hamilton. Billy Khan. Scott Wellington. The five members that make up Weekend. Welcome to 'Are We Having a Conversation?' Thank you all so much for joining me and being the first guests on the show. I know it came down to me or Oprah doing this interview, so thank you for choosing me over a proven talk show legend. You will all not walk away with a car from this."
Riley: "That's all good. Billy still doesn't have a license and Dustyn drives like he's in Wacky Races."
Billy: "Oh, fuck off!"
Dustyn: "That was a little bit homophobic, Ri."

"Now, now, let's not get this show canceled within a minute. I thought you were suppose to be the glue who holds it all together, Riley. Haha! Has the dynamic amongst the five of you changed much over the years?"
Scott: "Oh, don't let Hamilton fool you. Man's a dark horse!"
Dustyn: "See, Ri has this sweet, golden boy image which is like 95% accurate but he's not as innocent as people think. That kind of general level-headed nature makes it even funnier when he comes out with something that could make a sailor blush. Every so often he'll drop this golden nugget of a joke or remark and have us on the floor!"
Riley: "I plead the fifth! I plead the fifth! Ha! To answer your question though, I wouldn't say the dynamic has changed all that much. We're still very much the same people only a little bit more seasoned and experienced. I was going to say 'wiser' but...yeahhh..."
Oscar: "We're still the same but just matured versions of ourselves. Well, some of us are."

"How often are the five of you together in a room like this? These days is it something that happens only when you're working as Weekend members or do you regularly just hang out as friends?"
Oscar: "It's rare nowadays for us to just sit and chill like this. We're still together a lot of the time but that's usually a work thing. Scott also splits his time between L.A. and London, and Dusty recently moved back to Ireland. There's usually one or two of us missing or someone calling in on FaceTime so it's nice to be together like this again."
Scott: "We still talk everyday even when we're not in the same country. These are my brothers. For better or worse."
Billy: "I'm the 'worse'."

"Hopefully Weekend fans can stop trying to cancel me on Twitter after today. Don't worry folks, I'm not trying to sweep my previous comments under the rug. We all know what I said in the early days of you guys coming together, however that's not even a blimp in the meteoric rise of Weekend. How does it feel to be the biggest group in the world right now? How aware of that are you?"
Riley: "It sounds like a weird thing to say but sometimes we forget that we're famous. I hate that word but you know what I mean. I think it's because we haven't really changed that much as people and move in the same, small circle. It's a bubble that keeps us sane. You're only really reminded of it when you step out of that comfort."
Dustyn: "Yeah, you definitely feel it more places than others. L.A. is always a hectic place to visit with the paparazzi. Japan and Australia also brings the crowds. Nobody gives a shit in London, haha!"
Oscar: "Yeah, London's quite big and extremely busy. Every so often you get stopped for a photo but most of the time, people just whizz on by. They've got more important things to do."

"Was that a conscious decision to remain based in the U.K. for the most part? Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, so was there ever a possibility you would have moved stateside at any stage of your career?"
Oscar: "It just made sense to stick to London. It's where we were formed. Two of us already lived there, four of us were already living in England. It was easier for us to grow and cope on familiar home soil than uprooting all of us young, inexperienced boys to Los Angeles."
Riley: "Obviously, at one point, Scott moved to be with his wife and Dustyn recently went back to Ireland but I think being based in London helped with the branding for a long time. Much to the dismay of some people, we often get compared to The Beatles and I think our management liked the idea of marketing us as a "British Invasion" band when we launched."
Dustyn: *coughs*
Riley: "Sorry, "British-Irish" invasion band."
Billy: "We really should've debuted with the tagline; "The British Are Coming!"
Dustyn: "I in no way condone British invasion of any type. Let's put that on record here!"

"When each of you look back on the last 10 years, how do you personally view the impact that Weekend collectively has had on the music industry?"
Billy: "We definitely opened the doors for a lot of boy bands and pop acts in general. We were torn limb from limb in the media and the industry when we debuted but a few months down the line, other labels were churning out boy bands of their own. Guess they all wanted a Weekend moment. That cloning period has since died down but it's no longer 'embarrassing' to be part of or support a boy band these days. There's no need for unnecessary, rude comments anymore...Ryan."
Scott: "We definitely didn't invent the concept of boy bands or pop music but those were dirty words back then. We still had The Titans, Isabel and Brittany Knox doing the pop thing but even they were subjected to some nasty shit. In 2011/2012, things were very glossy and refined. We sort of turn that on its head."
Dustyn: "I think that's why a lot of people didn't like us. The chart trends were very pristine and artsy. You had the classic singer-songwriters like yourself, Ellie-Grace and Katie Coyle. Then you had your high-fashion, glossy and avantgarde stars like Glamazon, Stephanie Fierce, Vanity, ElectroDeath. We turned up; five amateur teenage lads with peach fuzz on our lips, singing the poppiest of pop songs, wearing our own wardrobes and having no real structure. That's what got a lot of backs up but I think that's what also worked in our favour too."
Oscar: "I like to think that most people have a respect for our longevity, drive and tenacity. We broke ground over time because we persevered and naturally stacked up our achievements. There was no pretence or big vision of changing the world of music. We have just kept on going, doing what we love because we are still in love with what we do. Thankfully it has also resonated with people around the world."
Riley: "Oscar hit the nail on the head with the whole perseverance thing. I like to think Weekend's biggest achievement is slowly turning the haters into fans or at least make them able to tolerate us. I feel like most people can hear one of our songs without wanting to vomit blood now. We just kept on pushing and adapting. When we performed in the early days, you could clearly see the brothers and fathers who were dragged along to our shows. Now we see them singing along."

"Your fanbase has certainly expanded over the years. As Riley mentioned, the demographics have grown and now it's almost like Weekend is a family affair where everyone can just go to a concert together and have a wonderful time. I know you've never aimed to be role models or idolized but you are. Many teenagers found the courage to come out thanks to Dustyn. Some kid figured out they were an asshole thanks to Billy. Somebody right now is making music in their bedroom because they connected to their very core with a Weekend record. How much does that influence how you carry yourselves and continue to build out your career?"
Billy: "Some kid realised he was wasting his time listening to one of your records. I love the power of music, don't you?"
Scott: "As you can see, it doesn't impact how some of us carry ourselves, ha!"
Riley: "We don't make a point of changing ourselves in order to be a certain way. I think our authenticity, faults and all, is what gives us such mass appeal. We do think about and consider the fans in everything we do though. We see the tweets, we see the messages, we see the voting. We're aware of financial and geographical situations which we keep in mind when it comes to touring, pricing, appearances. The quality of our releases...it's all for them. They're never an afterthought. Very much part of the team and our world."
Dustyn: "I also feel a sense of duty to represent those in LGBTQ community as best as I can. I've had so many messages over the last ten years saying how I helped them to come out and feel comfortable in their skin. It tugs at my heart and I don't know these people so I can't go and give them that hug I want to. So, to spread and share the love, I just keep on advocating and trying to be a voice for good. Doing things that a lot of people who look up to me just don't have the power to. Might not physically be there with them but, in my heart, I'm always there for them. They've got me and I've got them."

"Hitting that decade mark as a group is quite the anomaly. I know you were all very young when you came together and now you're all full-fledged adults in your late 20s and early 30s, so of course personalities change and develop greatly in that span. How have you managed to stay together through the years?"
Scott: "Touching back on what the lads were just saying; determination. We had our obstacles to overcome and I think that made us a tightknit group. Us against the world. We love the music and all that comes with it but I think a huge part of our longevity is down to having a point to prove, ha!"
Billy: "We made a point of hanging around out of spite. So many people had shit to say about us young lads who just wanted to sing. Bunch of people in the industry wanted us to fail and that just made us work harder. Most of the people who were dicks to us are nowhere to be found now. Makes me feel very smug and I love it."
Dustyn: "It also helps that we're all best friends. We're brothers. The conception of the band was very manufactured but these bonds are so real and organic. I love these boys. Don't know what the future holds for the band but I know that this is for life."
Oscar: "Yes, we're all BEST friends."

"Was there ever a moment where Weekend nearly disbanded? Was that ever a conversation had amongst the five of you or were you all laser focused on making it work through the adversity?"
Oscar: "Speaking of being besties...uhhh....haha!"
Billy: "There's been a few times when a couple of punches have been thrown. Few choice words were had. Not naming any names."
Riley: "We've had our scrapes over the years. A decade together, five very strong personalities. It's inevitable but like we said earlier, this is a family. We get mad at each other but it's always resolved and there's love underneath it all. We've had blips where things have looked rocky for a moment but we get over it pretty quickly. An actual proper, serious split has never been on the cards."
Scott: "Yeah, it's usually petty shit like; "I'm not talking to him ever again!". It lasts about a week and then we're in the booth harmonising together."

"Let's go back to start for a moment. The group was formed by Lyrica Ocha, formerly of girl group G2L. I know Dustyn and Oscar, both of you were handpicked to audition for this all-male pop act. You both had some slight connections in the business. The rest of you answered an ad on a British publication. With that said, the initial mindset going into it must have been slightly different depending on how you reached that stage. I'll start with Dustyn and Oscar first, did you each enter those auditions with some confidence that you'd be a part of this thing?"
Dustyn: "I was shitting a brick. I'm a very distant relative of Lyrica's. Like a cousin of a cousin...something like that. I only heard about the audition because my wonderful Aunt Caroline, who lives in London, telephoned my family and put in a word on my behalf. Before that, I lived a very quiet and rural life. It was 2011 but I was still living like it was the 1950's. We got all our supplies from a little local shop in the village. Going to London was not only the first time I had left Ireland but my first time in an actual big city! The journey itself was overwhelming never mind the audition. I wasn't confident at all. It was all new to me, I was so nervous and I wanted it really badly. I remember thinking my knees were going to give out."
Oscar: "I wasn't confident that I would get it but I wasn't that nervous. I was used to performing for others and I knew that a good word was put in for me so I was aware that the people in the room had a little faith. None of us could have envisioned what the project would become so, in my mind, I was just auditioning for this really good opportunity that may result in a record deal and some exposure. I had no idea what was ahead when I got into the band."

"Billy, Scott, and Riley; how were each of your perspectives in comparison going into those auditions?"
Scott: "To me, it was yet another audition so the process wasn't too scary but the difference was that I really wanted this one. I went to a performing arts college. I'd star in our productions and also go off to audition for all sorts of jobs whether it was music or TV related. I definitely work well in a group environment and of course I knew who Lyrica was prior to going in. I knew that it was a wonderful opportunity. Never wanted a job more in my life. I was preparing myself for rejection. Was the story of my life on these auditions so to actually get the dream job? I still pinch myself 10 years on."
Riley: "I was nearly late! I hadn't been down to London before and I vastly underestimated the traffic situation. I was more nervous about being late than the whole singing in front of a bunch of strangers thing. My heart was in my mouth in the back of the taxi...then it dropped when I was told how much it cost me. I was literally in that audition with an empty wallet. In a way, it was a blessing I didn't have to suffer much of the nerves that come with sitting around in a waiting room. My adrenaline was high. I finally got there and within two or three minutes, I was in the room singing. To me, it was such a rush of a day."
Billy: "I saw it as an opportunity to make money, in all honesty. I was sofa-surfing at the time. I literally had fuck all to lose and everything to gain. I didn't have much going for me aside from the fact that I could sing and cook. No money, no qualifications, no real home. Luckily it was held in the same city I live in so it wasn't too difficult getting there. I wasn't thinking about fame or even anything to do with being an artist. I just needed a way out of the gutter. I remember thinking I wouldn't get it. I looked around and could see all these pretty, well-groomed boys who clearly had experience and star-quality. I was sat sulking in the far corner in my tracksuit. I really didn't belong there."

"After each of you were chosen, almost immediately thereafter you were all moved into an apartment to live together in London. You were all strangers to each other at that point. How difficult was that transition from one day to the next?"
Oscar: "It was a bit of a culture shock and rather jarring at first. Living in a small flat with four strangers who are now also colleagues whilst a management company are lingering over you and saying; "become friends!", it was rather daunting at first. It worked though."
Riley: "And that place was small. Five of us packed in like sardines. For myself, Dusty, and Oscar, it was our first time living away from our parents. It definitely wasn't as cosy as home. Billy stepped up with his home-cooked meals though. I remember that being a ritual and part of the glue that bound us together. We'd all sit down to whatever Billy conjured up."
Billy: "That made me feel wanted and part of a team for the first time ever, really. I was the only one that could cook like that and we didn't even have the money to order out much so we had to make do. We all learned the value of pasta and how far it can go."
Dustyn: "We were all living on top of each other with hardly any money. Wasn't glamorous at all but we were forged in that fire. In a tiny box house like that, there's nowhere to hide. You HAVE to talk and get along with each other. At first it was hard adapting and compromising to five different ways of living but when you have no privacy, close bonds have to be formed. Once you've been naked or farted in front of someone, there's no going back, haha!"
Scott: "So thankful I no longer live with you or Billy. Christ!"

"The onset of Weekend was marred by the high expectations and disdain for the perceived "manufactured" way it was formed. In those early days, from an artistic standpoint especially, how in control of the narrative did you feel like you were at the start?"
Riley: "Oh, right at the very beginning we had zero input. Some of the material that ended up on our album was already written or partially existed before the group even formed. The project was already in motion when we auditioned. We didn't even name ourselves. It was our first management company."

Each of you found your love and passion for music in differing ways yet still had a very strong conviction with that art form. Did you ever feel like you were losing that when you saw how much control the powers that be had on the final product fans heard?"
Oscar: "Definitely. I was in a band with some mates from school before joining Weekend. We played our instruments and wrote our own songs. Granted, they were pretty shit looking back, but to go from that to being told to sing specific words in very specific ways, it was rather stifling. I vividly remember a conversation with Dustyn about it back in the day. We both considered ourselves as songwriters and the control of the management made us feel like we just weren't good enough."
Dustyn: "Yeah and I do understand it to an extent. They were the 'professionals', we were newbies, they had a lot of money and expectations riding on the project. Of course they wanted to manage it and make sure we had our best shot but a lot of conversations that were had did seem rather...undermining. They wanted us to shut up, have no opinion or real personality and just sing the 'guaranteed hits' they had. With five boys like us, that was never going to happen!"
Scott: "Our personalities still came through in the end. We fought for a little creative leeway. Even if they could control the music, they could still never control us on stage or on TV. I think that's why we really played up back in the day. Bit of rebellion against those trying to suffocate us and proving a point that we can garner success and attention without the guidance of some boring old farts."

"How was the process in making 'Fired Up' your debut album? I know most of the songs were already written for you guys and the recording aspect was done in just a few short months."
Billy: "It was fun but a little frustrating at times. On one hand, it was a fucking dream to be in a big, expensive recording studio and singing your heart out. On the other, there was a LOT of dictating going on. We didn't take too kindly to the poking and prodding, especially me. From very early on, we could see that a lot of people around us viewed us as products and not people. Had to nip that in the bud."
Oscar: "I remember feeling quite awkward and embarrassed recording it. One, it just wasn't my kind of music. I also felt like I put a few noses out of joint and felt a pressure on me because the producers and management pushed myself as the lead vocalist."
Scott: "The recording was more joyous than the album playback. I remember that feeling like a punch in the gut. For a lot of the songs, all five of us would record multiple different parts of the tracks and the producers would stitch together a full song based on who they thought sounded best on each part. I got like three lines on the whole album."

"Who was the loudest voice during that early stage to speak up and fight to have that input? You're not allowed to say Billy, even if he was the most vocal."
Billy: "Oi, what makes you think that?!"
Riley: "I think that we all realised things weren't right but I'd say Dustyn and Scott were essential in that push. Dustyn from a creative standpoint and Scott from the business side of things."
Dustyn: "I pushed for writing credits. I'd write my own little songs with my guitar before the band and I was also really naïve. I thought most artists wrote their own stuff. Kinda felt like we were being lazy and cheating just singing words written by strangers. There was also the fact that a bunch of the stuff we were being presented with was all about girls...and I was a raging little homo, haha!"
Scott: "I was no business expert but I had worked enough to know the horror stories and see tell-tale signs. We were worked silly in 2012 and a lot of people around us who barely lifted a finger were benefitting greatly. A lot of people closed up or got an attitude when we questioned things. We just weren't comfortable with all these different people being involved in our money, schedules, careers, lives, really. We were achieving so much but were too tired to appreciate it and the diary wasn't letting up. I knew we had to take control otherwise it'd be major burnout."

"Do you ever go back and listen to those songs on the first record? From an artist's point of view, I think you always find room for improvement especially with your debut LP as you get older and make more records. Looking back at that album 10 years later, are you just proud of accomplishing that or are there some lingering regrets when you hear it?"
Oscar: "I...hate it. I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't say that as it's the 10th anniversary but it's just not my album. Also not very keen on it as touring it blew my voice out. We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for "Fired Up" but...yeah...it's not for me."
Billy: "I love it. To me, it's a snapshot of the moment our lives changed. Might not be a ground-breaking record but it's an important one. Only thing I'd change is the vocal distribution but we weren't in control of that."
Riley: "I think most of us go back and forth on it. It's clearly a juvenile record. We sound so young on it and it's a hodgepodge of sounds that were popular at the time. It's a VERY 2012 album. It got us a lot of flack and we didn't have as much say in it as we would have liked but it is a fun record and it put us on the map. It's very high energy in places and I can't help but smile when I hear it."
Scott: "I definitely developed a new appreciation for it while we were remastering the album just there. Bit generic but there are some fucking bangers on there."
Dustyn: "Am I the only one who always loved it? Haha!"

"Upon hearing you all talk about that debut album and the different perspectives; how do you make it work as a group? How much time and effort goes into making a record that each of you can be happy and proud of? I've been a solo artist nearly my entire career up until very recently and even just working with Ellie-Grace Summers, when you add another creative mind, you're not always going to be on the same page. I can't even imagine how it is with five of you."
Riley: "You know what? This might sound crazy but I feel like there's the spiritual sixth member of the group..."
Billy: "Oh, here we go!"
Riley: "No, like, we're all very different people and artists but when it comes to Weekend we're all so in tune. We can all go off and do our own thing, listen to our own styles of music, read the books we like, watch the movies we love, but when it comes to what we want and would like for the band, we're always in sync. There's an energy, a synergy. There's this feeling all of us get when we just know. We know that we're heading on the right path, we know when an album's finished, we know when the timing's right. You don't think that, Billy?"
Billy: "I do agree, mate. I just wouldn't call it 'spiritual'. I just think that we've spent so long in each other's pockets over the last ten years that we just know what we're doing."
Scott: "We're sort of like those people who menstruate together."
Dustyn: "Scott...why??"
Riley: "He's right though. The flow we have is pretty mean."
Oscar: "RILEY HAMILTON, HAHAH!"
Dustyn: "See what I mean about his little comments!"

"You've each written songs for Weekend to a varying degree. Some are written by all five of you, others only involve a few. What are your favorite songs that you've been a part of writing? Which do you see on a setlist and are giddy to perform?"
Dustyn: "I wouldn't say it's our best song but 'Smile About It' holds a special place in my heart. It was our first #1, opened so many doors for us and was also the first song we all wrote together. We were given an opportunity to write for the debut and we brainstormed this over my acoustic guitar. Once it was taken to the studio, it became this beast of a track. The success and reception of it really gave us confidence as writers. A song I dread performing is 'Lock It Up'. It's a banger but I can't catch a bloody breath during it!"
Scott: "I think 'Crash' from the first album is fucking epic. Dusty and I threw everything at that one. Still think it should've been a single. We haven't performed it in 10 years but I remember it going down so well. Also, 'How It Ends' from the 'About Time' album is another I'm proud of. I struggle with writing ballads but I think that's a real solid one."
Riley: "For me, it's 'Poster Boy' and 'Our Song' from the last album. Very poignant and personal songs. The fans seem to respond well to those too. Always humbling hearing people sing back words you've penned."
Billy: "Sorry, Dusty but I think my favourite to do is 'Lock It Up'. It's a fucking tit-slapper of a song. It's the sonic equivalent of huffing poppers. I remember the pressure being on from the label to get a second #1 and we were worried about not being able to match 'Smile About It'. We knocked it out the park with this one."
Oscar: "Riley mentioned my favourite, 'Poster Boy. Also 'One for the Road' from the same album. The whole 'Welcome to the Real World' record is what I'm most proud of in our career thus far. Really showcases our growth not only as artists but as people too. Beautiful album if I do say so myself."

"By 2015 you had gone your own route and created 'Five Pesky Kids' which gave you the opportunity to be in control of your image and what music you put out. How important was that move both personally and as artists?"
Billy: "So many snakes in the industry and a bunch of slimeballs waiting on the outskirts, ready to strike and take advantage. We don't want anyone infiltrating and trying to destroy what we've built. We own everything. Our art, our money, our say."
Dustyn: "Being our own bosses helps so much with personal lives and schedules too. We're all fathers and have other projects going on too. When it's just you and your best friends, there's less worry and no clinical feeling about navigating your job. We're all flexible and scratch each others backs."
Riley: "Also helps to be happy with your art and image. I know that a lot of artists aren't as lucky, having to record and release things they don't particularly care for. Some even being told what to wear and say because of a specific image their team wants them to maintain. It's much more free-flowing for us and I'm eternally grateful for that."

Artist Corner w/ Oscar

"Right now I get an honor that has not been afforded to many when I sit down and talk one-on-one with each member of Weekend in a space we call the "Artist Corner". This is a separate set with a single-camera setup and none of the other members are here with us. We are starting off with one of my favorite singers in all of music today, the talented and incredibly fashionable, Oscar Ward."
Oscar: "Thank you, kindly! I do try, I do try."

"Congratulations on your marriage last year. Your wife Eilidh is an absolute sweetheart. You both are well-respected artists in your own rights. You two have been together for a long time, which is rare to see when you have two big household names in this industry in a relationship together. How have you two been able to make it work?"
Oscar: "Thank you, I really appreciate that. Yeah, later this year marks a decade since we got together. It's crazy to think such a thing. I wish I could impart some wisdom and the secret to a long, happy relationship but the truth is that things have just been easy for us. We naturally work well together. I understand Eilidh's job and schedule. She understands mine. The bottom line is that there's an undying love and huge level of trust there. Doesn't matter what we do, where we go, how long we're away. We know that everything's good."

"What comes to mind when I say 'Rising Waters'?"
Oscar: "Hahahaha....NEXT question!!"

"Oscar, your career as part of Weekend started with high pressure off the bat. You were coined the lead vocalist, you had a lot of responsibilities when it came to the recording process and touring 'Fired Up'. You were the face of this group at 17 years old. How were you able to take all that on without losing your freaking mind?"
Oscar: "Oh, I lost my mind briefly. I'm far more zen these days but I was a little bit flipped back then. I was 17. On one hand, there was the pressures. On the other, there was the ego stroking of being the lead singer of a globally successful band. I alleviated the stress and also celebrated the success with parties. Parties and booze were the answer to a lot of things. Becoming a father and that transition into setting up our own label really brought me back down to earth. The wheels stopped churning for a bit and I suddenly had more adult matters to focus on."

"After putting your voice through a lot of strain recording Weekend's debut album and touring in the support of it, by the time you were reconvening to record 'About Time' some problems came up with your voice causing you to have surgery on your vocal cords. How serious was that at the time?"
Oscar: "It was devastating. That probably humbled me as well. I went from singing my heart out on these multi-platinum records and sold out tours across the globe to not being able to speak. It was bad. I had zero training or knowledge about how to look after ones voice. I just pushed too hard while having no professional technique."

"I understand and empathize with you because I also had to have surgery on my vocal cords back in 2012. Being a singer and going through that, I remember I had nightmares while I was on recovery about possibly never being able to sing again after my surgery. Did you have those fears in your mind?"
Oscar: "Oh, I thought my career was over. Thought I'd have to leave the band and then I was feeling guilty that my ailment could possibly impact the career of the other four boys. Would they want to go on as a four-piece? Would a new member not go down well? How do you go from one album to another with a different voice at the forefront? The recovery was so tedious that I remember feeling like being able to string a sentence together was never going to happen let alone sing again."

"You were still very young when you went through that. I was 34 and crying in a doctor's office. The recovery after having surgery on your vocal cords is tedious and strict. Not many people know how much sacrifice it takes. You basically are on total vocal rest, so you can't talk at all. That process is difficult in itself going about your day to day life. How important was your support system in getting you through that rough patch?"
Oscar: "Eilidh, the boys, the fans, my parents and some other friends in the industry really helped me through it. It was the worst time of my life but I dread to think what it would've been like had I not had those people around. The well-wishes really spurred me on and stopped me from laying down to it all."

"What are some of the lessons you've taken and carried on in your life since the surgery?"
Oscar: "To look after my damn voice, haha! It's a muscle, it's a gift, it's my career. Very conscious about how I treat it now. Some think I'm a bit overly cautious but if you've been through that hell, you don't play around. You never want to go back there and I honestly wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Takes away so much of your power. I've also learned to be more placid and patient. Prior to losing my voice, I was a lot more fiery. There were times when I really wanted to speak, give an opinion and answer back but I literally couldn't. I learned to block out a lot of noise and choose inner peace. I know when it's best to stay quiet these days and pick my battles more wisely!"

"How differently do you think things may have gone if you hadn't damaged your vocal cords? Would that have changed your trajectory as an artist?"
Oscar: "I think I'd be a better singer. I basically had to re-learn, change my technique and my voice isn't what it used to be. It still has a similar low, rocky tone but it has far less power these days. Not sure if it'd have any major impact on my career though. Thankfully I'm still with the band and we're having success to this day. Even with my struggles, I'm still living the dream. Can't complain or ponder too much."

"Thankfully you were able to recover and continue your career. I have a lot of respect for you because I know how difficult it is to come back from that and regain that confidence because you almost have to relearn how to sing and adjust to what your vocal capabilities are afterwards. It's not easy, so that's why I will continue to say that you're my favorite member of Weekend. May not be popular to say that as an unbiased talk show but screw it my name is on the showcard."
Oscar: "Thank you. I'm sure you say that to all the boys, haha! I really appreciate that. I'm a big fan of yours myself. You're right, it's not easy but life never is. You've just got to keep pushing, especially if it's for something that you love."

"Through it all you've always maintained your strong stage presence. It's almost as if being an entertainer is engrained in you. How important to you are those moments on stage?"
Oscar: "Immensely important. For a start, I'm thankful I still have a voice to go on stage with. Will always remain grateful for that. Touring and performing is also about creating moments for the fans. We make memories for ourselves in the process but it's really all about our supporters. These are people who give up their time and money to support our dreams. We have what we have because of the Weekend fans. We want to make each show special and give the people in the audience a moment to cherish forever. You know, chances are, a lot of people who come to our shows may never see us again. They might not have the funds to go to concerts all the time or have been saving for years just to make it to one show. They may have travelled not only from a different city but a different country or continent. They may live in a place that makes it unlikely to ever bump into one of us in the street. Us five have been lucky enough to see the world several times over and have 10 years worth of touring memories. The fans only have a small window of opportunity to be part of that so we make sure to give it are all each and every time."

"What does the future hold for Oscar? Do you have ambitions that go beyond Weekend? Might we see a solo project from you?"
Oscar: "Watch this space, Ryan. That's all I'll say. Watch this space."

Artist Corner w/ Billy

"Billy Khan. We are either sworn enemies or good friends depending on what side of social media you end up on."
Billy: "We're the best of friends! My boy's always had my back, right?"

"I think it's fair to say that you've embraced the fact that you are a very divisive figure in this industry. You're well known for your candor about basically everything. As an artist, do you feel like your personality can at times outweigh or even overshadow your work? Does that bother you at all?"
Billy: "Doesn't bother me. Attention is attention in my eyes. I'm proud of my work and that's what matters. Those who get it, get it. Those who don't clearly don't have the mental capacity or taste required. I'd much rather be myself and feel comfortable, even if some people do think I'm a dick, than stress about and feel trapped trying to maintain a fake image so not to rock the boat. Life gives us enough shit to worry about never mind trying to keep up appearances. Bollocks to that. Also feel like being a queer, mixed race guy from a Muslim family, despite me no longer practising, I've always HAD to have my back up in a way. Survival. There's a million people ready to attack me in the real world for merely existing let alone in the sleazy entertainment industry when money, fame and ego are involved. I'm not changing, bending or letting my guard down for anyone in this game."

"We both know that fame and reaching a certain 'celebrity status' comes with its highs and lows. There's a bullseye on you at all times. Everyone deals with that in their own way. You said earlier that you're an open book and you've proven that through your 10 year career thus far. Did you always know you were going to stick to your guns regardless of what height of popularity Weekend achieved and be as authentic as possible?"
Billy: "For sure. I never had media training. None of us did. Well, actually, our first management TRIED to give us some training. After the first session, the coach left in tears and we just never bothered again. I've always been a straight shooter and the ethos of the band has always been authenticity. We naturally fall into different roles but that's not fake or forced. We are who we are. People say I'm 'real' but all the other guys are too."

"You're not a bullshitter. I know that about you. You're a straight shooter. We have seen that time and time again publicly. Having that personality, what challenges presented themselves both within the group and with business affairs behind the scenes because of it?"
Billy: "I don't think it has presented many challenges other than loudmouths online or snippy critics and journalists taking it upon themselves to try to 'defeat' me. Some people are needlessly hostile but they get it handed right back to them with both barrels. I think me being so upfront and blunt has been more beneficial than anything. Bigwigs know not to fuck with me or the boys. We get straight to the point and get the job done. People don't think about screwing us over because I like to make it clear that it's not possible from the jump."

"Earlier you stated that you saw this group as an opportunity to make some money and provide for yourself and your brother after the hardships you experienced. Was there a moment or period of time for you when it all clicked and you realized this is where you belonged? That the sky was the limit?"
Billy: "I would say that came in late 2012. We released the 'Fired Up: Reloaded' project, had a sold out world tour on the horizon and had signed off on so many endorsement and merchandise deals. We were successful from the jump with the first single but a good year into things is when it really left the Earth's orbit."

"It is well-documented with the rest of the guys how they each had a passion for music or performing or both as they grew up. For you, was that passion found whilst you were actively already a member of this group?"
Billy: "I've always had a passion for music. It was really the only thing I constantly enjoyed when growing up. I came from a rough, neglectful household and then went into care which was a barrel of laughs. Music never betrayed or upset me though. Was so into 90's R&B growing up. Still am. Other kids would be into the more accessible poppy stuff while I was listening to more mature shit like Janet's 'The Velvet Rope'. That album has a lot to answer for. I was always into music and had a love for it but didn't have the means or drive to pursue it while growing up. I was more concerned about where my next meal was coming from and trying not to get a black eye than dreaming about becoming a pop star. When my life turned around, I fully embraced it. If there's an opportunity to get into the studio, fucking bet I'm there."

"You're the first member of Weekend to go solo and explore other projects outside of this realm. You've worked with Suzie, Ellie-Grace Summers, among others. You have a few solo singles out there and an album in the pipelines, if I'm not mistaken. Were you actively seeking opportunities as a solo artist or did some occur serendipitously?"
Billy: "Album's coming, yeah. I'm just too much of a perfectionist. Don't want a 'Traveling Tales' moment, you know? Uh, it's sort of a bit of both. When I had the tools and knowledge at my disposal, I knew I'd set out to make my own record one day. Something that represents me and reflects the music I love. The outside work started by chance though. The producer mISTER_b got in touch and wanted me to feature on this track called 'The Energy'. It was so unexpected. He listened to the band and said he loved my voice. Was really quite something to know that he singled me out personally because, back then, the spotlight was mainly really skewed towards another person. That song was a success and it lead to even more collaborations after that. Those features sort of created the narrative of; "Oh, Billy's going to do something on his own". That made it much easier to transition into full blown solo music."

"What do you see in the future when it comes to 'Billy' as a solo artist?"
Billy: "Good fucking times. Growth too. We all grow as people and artists over the years. My music will develop and enrich alongside Weekend. I'll always be part of that band. Solo stuff doesn't take away from that. We're still a team, it's all under Pesky, I'm very much part of the group. It's all in the same musical universe, as I like to say. My solo career is not me ditching all things Weekend. I've just...got my own spin-off series. Hopefully it shapes up to be more of a 'Frasier' situation than a 'Joey'."

"Seeing the success you've had on your own, I'm sure you can see the same for Oscar, Scott, Riley, and Dustyn if they were to follow in those footsteps. Let's say they do and you take a break from Weekend for each to go ahead and work on their solo material. Do you see a healthy level of competition developing because of that?"
Billy: "They can try to compete if they like! Seriously though, I do think there would be healthy competition but done with a wink and a nudge. They've all been supportive of my stuff and I'd return the same energy. I always play them my new stuff and I like to think they'd do the same. We're a team. I'd actually love for them to do some solo stuff, especially Dustyn. I keep pestering him to do something. He's honestly wasted on this band."

Artist Corner w/ Dustyn

"Lastly, I am sitting with Dustyn Blue-Conners. You are a singer-songwriter trapped in a boy band and I don't mean that in a bad way! You've masterfully found a way to bridge the gap between interpersonal songwriter, being a guitarist, and still finding ways to bring the others in to contribute their pieces. You're sort of the ringleader. That's impressive!"
Dustyn: "In other words, I'm a bossy little shit? Hahaha! Seriously though, thank you! I love and take great pride in my creative side so it's lovely to see and hear it be appreciated."

"How did you learn to play guitar? Did you look up to any guitarists growing up?"
Dustyn: "In Ireland, you're just surrounded by guitars and Irish-country-folk music! My maternal grandfather left his guitar to my mother after he passed away. He died when I was very young. Now, my mother doesn't play. I just remember this guitar sitting in the house like an ornament for a number of years as a kid. I loved music so it sat there tempting me. We weren't allowed to touch it but eventually, after enough tantrums and scolding for strumming it, I was given the thing when I was like 12 or so. It was your classic Dreadnought. Perfect for beginners. I had a naturally good ear and picked up a few things in music class but it was a tattered old guide that I bought in a second-hand store after school one day that taught me most things. Vividly remember the day I got it because I got a few clips around the ear for spending what was supposed to be my lunch money on this book. Was worth it though. Owe a lot of my career to that musty old book. Also, I'm sure being on the autistic spectrum helps me pick up skills and retain information quickly! I can pick up most instruments with ease. The oboe is still a bastard to learn though, ha! "

"When we figured out the format of this interview, I was excited to get a chance to talk to each of you separately because of the sheer rarity of that happening. However, the music geek in me, wanted to sit down with you most because you started writing songs the same way that I did... you were writing on your guitar as a teenager. You spoke earlier about your vast music taste and influences. How much adjusting did it take to go from messing around on your guitar in your bedroom to figuring out how to incorporate those sensibilities to a boy band?"
Dustyn: "Making me blush, Ryan. Making me blush! You know, I would say that one of the few benefits of being manufactured in the early days was that it helped guide me and set the tone for my approach with the guitar. 'Everything About You' was our first single, was very guitar heavy and wasn't written by us at all. Recreating that for live performances and keeping that song and some of the other demos in mind when writing other songs, it kinda got the ball rolling towards where I wanted to take it."

"You did some busking as well when you were a teenager, right? What did you take away from that experience?"
Dustyn: "This...may sound a little tragic but I learned that I wasn't a complete failure and experienced what it's like to be praised. My family are strict Irish Catholic. Very old school, conservative types. Would never get kisses and cuddles from my dad because 'men don't do that'. My family also wanted to keep up appearances and were heavily involved in the church. They wanted to appear as respectable, dignified, good religious folk. Meanwhile I was running riot with undiagnosed autism, wanting to dress up and sing, clearly a camp little thing. So I got my joy and my dose of love from strangers who listened to me busk. At home, I was just expected to shut up, do my homework, eat my dinner and say my prayers."

"I've said before that everyone who is a songwriter has to be a bit mad. We're wired in a way where at any time and place, you may have this breakthrough moment where you have step away to write. How do you personally approach songwriting? Do you work best when those flash in the pan moments come to you?"
Dustyn: "I'm Irish, came from a religious household, have autism and I'm gay. How much madder can you get?! Haha! For me, I'm just always writing and creating when I can. I have times when I'm actually in a scheduled session and times when I'm just around the house. Bit of both works for me. When I'm in the studio or FaceTiming the band, I can clear my head a little and focus on the meat of a song. I'm not distracted by giving my boys a bath or feeding the cats. I feel like some of the best lines and ideas do come to me as a spur of the moment type of thing though. I could be loading up the washing machine and this killer lyric comes into my head so I immediately grab the phone and make a note. It all works for me. Sometimes it's a case of piecing things from different sessions or moments together in order to create the best result."

"As a songwriter, I know there's always more than just what the people can hear in the final recording. Whether that's a song being cutdown or an arrangement changing or some lyrical rewrites. You're always working on a song until the very last second of it being mastered. How much material do you think you have that never made it to the cutting board?"
Dustyn: "Oh, I don't even want to know! I would say that I do write the most as I'm almost always armed with my guitar. I write whole songs and sometimes I think they're absolute shite so I don't even bother presenting them to the guys. There have been many songs that have been recorded which we love but had to cut because the album was running too long. There's even been songs that I haven't penned down, just off-the-cuff riffs that I thought of in the moment and then forgotten about because I didn't think they were worth expanding on. Over 10 years, there's a lot either on the cutting room floor or even lost to time itself. I think you've heard the best we have, however. Bar one or two tracks that I was sad to let go, there's a reason a bunch haven't been released!"

"Do you feel the most comfortable on stage and in the studio when you have a guitar around your shoulder?"
Dustyn: "Always comfortable with my guitars. Second nature to me. I developed that bond back in my busking days. It gave me confidence and was the reason people started taking notice of my creativity in a positive light. On stage, in the studio, at home on the couch, it doesn't matter where. I'm always at peace when I'm having a strum. Oh my God, that sounds so fucking dirty. Edit that out! Hahaha!"

"Now, there's a lot more depth to you than past stories about your life and personal struggles. I don't want to go into detail on any of that. You had your demons and you overcame them. You have a lovely family back in Ireland. You are admired by so many people for an array of reasons. When you look back at your life, is there one stand out moment that you can look at and say 'that's what got me through it' or is there a series of events that helped you?"
Dustyn: "The Weekend lads have been true brothers to me. More so than my actual flesh and blood. Meeting my husband Dallas was also a turning point. He's my rock. Don't think I would've overcame everything had he not been by my side day and night. I was in a very dark place when we met. He didn't take advantage of that and he saw past it all. Past the demons, past the stigma, past the whole being a member of Weekend thing. He just genuinely liked me for who I was at my core and really pushed for me to shed all that negative stuff. He saw a person struggling and not a punching bag or self-serving opportunity like a lot of people did. I love that man with every fibre of my being."

"Not to take anything away from the rest of the group but when I hear you speak it's clear that you care deeply about your fans. How important are they to you?"
Dustyn: "They are my extended family. I'm where I am now because of them. OK, I got into the band before the fanbase formed but it wouldn't have taken off without them. Honestly don't know where I would be had they not chosen to support us bunch of oddballs. I wouldn't have my boys, wouldn't have met my husband, wouldn't be living my dream life if it wasn't for the Weekend global family. If I could hug and chat to every single one of them, I would. I get messages about how I've changed lives. It works both ways. They took this chaotic little gay Irishman to their hearts and supported me through thick and thin. Damn right I'm going to reciprocate that and advocate as much as I can. Big, big love to all of them."

"I do have to thank you for sending me a PR package a few months ago that features some items from your 'Dustyn Blue at Home' homeware line. The quality and attention to detail with each piece is clear to tell. My girlfriend loves the throw pillows especially. Where did that idea come from and how did you bring it to life?"
Dustyn: "I'm all about cosy vibes. I also love playing host and having people over. Fans joke about how I've turned into a total 'house husband' in recent years and they're not wrong! You should have pride in your home and I also think it's important to have your own comfortable space to escape from the world for a bit. Don't know if it's just a stereotypical gay thing but I also love interior design. Giving things a makeover and making everything cute? Uh, yes! It made sense to lean into that and challenge myself to take on something other than music. I was being creative in another way. It took quite a while to get off the ground. Went all out with the range. Curtains, bedding, candles, rugs, the throw pillows...you name it! Like with the music, I was involved in everything. I designed and tested it all. I'm never putting my name on something I don't believe in."

"A percentage of each purchase from your collection is being donated to MindOut, a mental health charity for the LGBTQ+ community. Can you talk a little bit more about that organization and your partnership with them?"
Dustyn: "For sure. MindOut is a mental health charity which is run by the LGBTQ+ community FOR our community. They offer support and are specially trained and informed on all matters that impact our people. They provide counselling, have peer support groups, mentor programmes, advocacy groups, suicide prevention lines, trans and gender-diverse services. Why you may need to get in contact with the organisation may not necessarily be down to your sexuality but they pride themselves on that inclusivity and their knowledge so that you never feel like your identity is causing you to be penalised or neglected. Sadly some other charities are not as inclusive and have prejudices about groups of people. A large amount of profits from my home range are donated to the charity so they can continue to do their wonderful work."

"While everyone loves the homeware line, I would be slaughtered by your fans if I didn't ask you the question they all want to know. At some point in the foreseeable future... will we see you go solo and release an album?"
Dustyn: "Ahhhh! I get this a lot, haha! I know how to write a tune and I've clearly lived so I've got a bunch of stories to tell. It just has to be the right moment. There are things that I would like to write about one day but I'm not comfortable with doing so right now. If I ever found myself with some downtime, I'd also prioritise spending that with my babies. It's wonderful to know that people care enough to want a solo record. I get asked about it on Twitter a bunch, Dallas and the Weekend boys have also encouraged me to do it but I think everything has a time and a place. I wouldn't rush to write and release something just for the sake of it. Like Weekend coming together, I think the stars will align again at one point and I'll feel that shift in my soul telling me it's time to share Dustyn's story. Until then...I don't know...buy one of my candles or something, haha!"

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Closing Remarks
"Well, you heard it here first. If you want to see Dustyn go solo, keep buying his candles! You need more throw pillows! You just do! Haha. Thank you to Oscar, Dustyn, Riley, Billy, and Scott for being guests on the show. It was an absolute honor to talk with them collectively and individually. I want to thank them for their patience because it was a long filming day. I want to thank the entire staff behind the scenes who made this happen. I have so much love and respect for everyone who has helped make this first episode become a reality. My name is Ryan. This was "Are We Having a Conversation?" And we will talk next time. Thank you for watching."

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(OOC: A huge thank you to Sean/BrownSugar for being a part of this RP! Both with having Weekend be guests, providing all the nifty graphics, and encouraging me to push forward with this idea! Having RRH host a talk show was something that long stood on my TRSG bucket list. As some of you may remember, long-format interviews and articles were something I did regularly on here years ago. The sheer size of this RP should showcase how much time and energy we spent on writing this interview out, haha! I'm not running the show on any particular schedule but there will be more episodes. Thank you for anyone who made it this far! Hope ya'll enjoyed it! :)