Wilderado Harmonizes Their Way Through Boston Calling

photo credit: BostonCentral

Just after wrapping their soulful Green Stage set at Boston Calling, I caught up with Wilderado’s Max Rainer and Tyler Wimpee to talk about their new record Talker, how they craft those signature harmonies, and what it’s like connecting with fans in such personal ways.

The skies were moody and the drizzle kept creeping in, but spirits were high backstage as we settled in for a conversation full of honesty, heart, and the quiet kind of confidence the band is known for.

Produced by James McAlister (Gracie Abrams, The National) and Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, SYML), Talker dropped in September 2024. Rainer describes it as “an album that feels like home and weathers who we are.”

This conversation took place with lead singer Max Rainer shortly after their set. Guitarist Tyler Wimpee joined us afterward for photos.

*Interview by Stacey Sao, BostonCentral*
Published: May 26, 2025

🎥 Watch: A clip from Wilderado’s set at Boston Calling 2025, featuring “Higher Than Most.”

video credit: BostonCentral

BostonCentral: You’ve been playing a lot of different kinds of venues lately. What’s something you’ve learned from being on the road this year that kind of surprised you?

Wilderado: I’m always surprised how sweet everybody is. Day after day, no matter how you're feeling, there's always someone at one of our shows that's impacted and glowing. I'm always surprised how little it has to do with me.

As contrived as that sounds, I can never believe just how the music kind of exists as its own entity and we just all come and be together in it. It’s easy to feel like you’re responsible for performing, but at the end of the day, I'm always surprised that no one really cares - they just want to be with us and be with the songs.

photo credit: Alive Coverage | Boston Calling

BostonCentral: I think your genuine goodness comes through on stage.

Wilderado: I hope it does. That’s how we think about it. We spend so much time working on this, so there's pressure to pull off this beautiful thing we've made. But no one ever seems to judge us on how it sounds, which is really lovely.

photo credit: BostonCentral

BostonCentral: You've got such a distinct blend of rock, folk, and harmony, which I love. Are there any artists or bands that have inspired you along the way?

Wilderado: I would say yes to both - inspiration from others and from within. I don't listen to as much music now as I did when I was younger and first learning, but I was a big Coldplay fan. Their first couple records, also Third Eye Blind, Kings of Leon, and Three Dog Night. We grew up in church, so the emotionality of music was ingrained in us early.

BostonCentral: Your latest album, Talker, just dropped. What kind of story were you hoping to tell with this album?

Wilderado: I think I was more so just wanting to let myself say what each song wanted me to say. I truly believe there are things we find, not create. So once I got into the trenches of writing, it became my responsibility to not be afraid to say the things that came to mind.

That honesty was scary—I've got little kids, nieces, and nephews, and some of what I say in the songs I wouldn’t say to them. But I had to shed that and stay true to writing for myself. 

I think I was going through things I really needed to talk about.

“I truly believe there are things we find, not create.” 
– Max Rainer, Wilderado

BostonCentral: That honesty resonates. Do you write the lyrics alone?

Wilderado: I do. The music and production are very collaborative, but I’m always alone with the lyrics and melodies.

photo credit: Alive Coverage | Boston Calling

BostonCentral: So Talker feels like an anthem for introverts - that really landed with me. Was that the intention?

Wilderado: It wasn’t intentional, but I relate to that. I had to get rid of the pressure of having to "say something" on a record.  I’m introverted that way too - I don’t always feel the need to have an opinion. But I hear songs, and they ask something of me.

BostonCentral: Do you ever feel pressure to shape lyrics for how they’ll land live? Or do you write purely from the moment?

Wilderado: Only from the moment. That’s all I can do. I try to say what I’m feeling, bring myself to the table.

BostonCentral: Are your lyrics mostly personal or fictional?

Wilderado: It depends. I usually sing into the room and record everything. Sometimes I find meaning in the mumbling. Other times, a line just comes with the melody. Like Talker did. Then I build the song around it.

“I’m proud to say we made an album that feels like home and weathers who we are.”
— Max Rainer, Wilderado

BostonCentral: Have there been songs that surprised you in how people connected with them?

Wilderado: Big time. Talker is a great example.  I didn’t think much beyond the world of the song while writing it. I wrote the first version maybe eight years ago, then found it again later and finished it. That first line - “I ain’t much of a talker" - came out instantly when I heard the melody. It just moved me. That’s the only criteria I have: if it moves me, I keep working on it. If it doesn’t, I toss it. 

🎤 That’s a wrap on this one. Thanks, Wilderado!

*On a personal note: I really connected with Max and Tyler and really enjoyed getting to know more about them and their music.  I wish I had had more time to hang with them!

I'm excited to see where their career goes - Currently I've got the following Wilderado songs on heavy rotation:

Surefire \ Higher Than Most \ Talker

Blue skies ahead, guys!  Thanks for taking the time to chat. :)

📌 More Wilderado

• Latest album: Talker – featuring the single “Higher Than Most”
• Upcoming shows include Red Rocks and a tour with The Head and The Heart
• Follow: @wilderado
• Listen: wilderado.co

Interview by BostonCentral at Boston Calling 2025.
Stay tuned for more artist features and festival coverage throughout the summer.

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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for well over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit, performances and new music in the Greater Boston area.