The party philosopher, rocking his signature Fruit of the Loom white t-shirt.
Back in March, party-rocker Andrew W.K. made headlines when he, seemingly out of nowhere, announced he was forming a new political party: The Party Party.
Was it satire? A publicity stunt? Absolutely not, insists the 37-year-old musician, who has become known as a “party philosopher” for his ardent promotion of the benefits of partying in all its glorious forms.
To spread the gospel of the Party Party and to engage the citizenry, W.K. has launched a nationwide speaking tour, which stops in Madison at the High Noon Saloon on Oct. 27. Isthmus spoke with W.K. about his hopes for the movement and why partying might just be the antidote to a poisonous election season.
You announced the launch of your political party, “The Party Party,” about five months ago. What’s been happening with the movement since then?
What we were offering really scratched an itch that a lot of people had been looking to scratch. It’s almost like a soothing therapeutic ointment, if you will, or maybe a medicated lotion. Because if you scratch an itch too much, it can become irritated and infected.
This is a real bonafide effort. However, in the beginning, my expectations were humble. Worst case, I thought it would be a political party of the spirit.
On your website, there’s a petition to seek “official” status for the Party Party. What’s the status?
To get on the ballot in a state like California, you would need about 300,000 signatures. We’ve been approaching the six-digit mark, but that’s for the whole world. I don’t think that we are even one percent of the way there in terms of actually being a nationally recognized political party.
But sometimes, working outside of the system — especially if the system is something you’re trying to address — can be more effective. I really want this to be something people can participate in, even if they’re a member of an existing party.
I’m a big fan of your motivational “Party Tips” on Twitter. How do you come up with those?
First of all, thank you for saying that. Thank you for allowing them to mean anything to you.
The party tips are always made initially to cheer me up or to motivate me or to get me in the right headspace. I really am posting it kind of like I would put a post-it note on a mirror in my bathroom or write a reminder on my hand.
Our country is grappling with some stressful issues — racism, police shootings. Can partying help with serious issues like that?
To me, it helps with everything. The power of partying is activated gratitude and energized enthusiasm about getting this chance to exist. It’s about looking at life as something worth celebrating and worth worshiping. When you’re in that state of gratitude, it’s simultaneously humbling and empowering. And as we go through these challenges, they’re something that will inspire us to grow.
If you could party with one person, living or dead, who would it be?
I was actually thinking about that question last night. I want to party with Adam.
Like, from the Bible?
Yeah. Before he broke his rib off.
Why?
First person ever.
