From Dusk to Donuts: The Corner Laughers on Concerns of Wasp and Willow

From Dusk to Donuts: The Corner Laughers on Concerns of Wasp and Willow

For nearly two decades, The Corner Laughers have carved out a singular place in the indie‑pop universe—where wit, wonder, and West Coast sunshine mingle with folklore, environmental reflection, and a touch of the supernatural. With the release of Concerns of Wasp and Willow on Big Stir Records, vocalist/ukulelist Karla Kane and multi‑instrumentalist KC Bowman return with a collection that feels both intimate and expansive, rooted in the Bay Area yet wandering through imagined worlds, dusk‑lit train stations, medieval ruins, and ecological reverence.

In this conversation, Karla and KC open up about the stories behind the new songs, the strange magic of dusk, the joys of composting, donut identities, album anniversaries, and the enduring creative chemistry that continues to shape The Corner Laughers’ whimsical, thoughtful sound.

First of all, where are you based out of, and what is your music scene like there?
Karla: We’re based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m in Redwood City, and KC is across the bay in Oakland, in the East Bay.

How did you wind up signing with Big Stir Records?
Karla: Concerns of Wasp and Willow is our second full‑length album with Big Stir. Our previous album, released in 2020, also came out on Big Stir. Before that, we’d done a couple of singles and appeared on some compilations. We were lucky enough to become friends with Rex and Christina over the years, and somehow or other they started putting out some of our music—pretty much right as the label itself was developing. We were fortunate to be there at the right time.

You mentioned your previous record, Temescal Telegraph. It was released right before the pandemic. What was it like to release music during that historic time?
Karla: It was a little weird, because any in‑person shows we had planned were canceled. It felt strange trying to promote anything during such an uncertain moment. But on the other hand, it worked out okay.

KC: We don’t tend to play a lot of live shows anyway, so suddenly we had a built‑in excuse not to play shows. An automatic reason.

Karla: Yeah. A few shows that had been scheduled became Zoom shows, which meant friends in England could watch, and some did. So there were some good things about the distance and the online gigs.

Six years later, you’ve come out with Concerns of Wasp and Willow. First off, tell me about the album title—where did it come from?
KC: As I understand it, Karla and Khoi were going to celebrate their anniversary at Samuel P. Taylor Park in Marin County, and they had just gotten their new cat, Willow. So they were concerned about leaving the house with the new cat. At the same time, they’d heard reports of wasp infestations in the park. While planning the outing, Karla said, “Well, I have concerns of wasp and Willow.” And the light bulb went on.

Karla: Yes, that’s exactly what happened. The album was almost done, and we still hadn’t settled on a title that felt exactly right. When I said that phrase, it was an instant light‑bulb moment. It touched on some of the themes—environmental concerns, anxieties, and relationships with the natural world. Later I also realized that willow is a pain‑relieving plant, and wasps are a pain‑giving creature, but both are important and necessary. That duality fits the songs as well.

The first song I heard from the record was “Dark Matter,” which was also released on a Big Stir Halloween compilation. Tell me the story behind the song—and then, what’s the most wonderful or craziest Halloween experience you’ve ever had?
Karla: The song came from a conversation I had with a friend about how we’ve never really felt like we fit into the Silicon Valley rat‑race, career‑centric world. We’ve always felt more like weirdos, not really interested in that kind of life. At the same time, we were talking about how much we love birds in the corvid family—crows, ravens, all of them. We were taking a walk and watching them in the park. So the song grew out of that, and also from leaning into themes associated with witches or crones—not seeing those as negatives, but celebrating them.

As for Halloween experiences… I have to think about that. My mom’s birthday is Halloween, so growing up it was always tied to that.

KC: Our street in Oakland is a hotspot for trick‑or‑treaters. During the first COVID Halloween, everyone was paranoid about contact, so we built a chute down our front stairs. We’d drop candy in at the top, and kids would catch it at the bottom. We decorated it like a monster mouth. Now it’s become a tradition—the annual Halloween “COVID Monster Chute.”

Karla: Didn’t we have an album release on Halloween once? I think it was for Ultraviolet Garden. You weren’t in the band yet, but we were wooing you, and you came dressed as an Oompa Loompa.

KC:  Yes. I mean, that could have really been any day. 

Karla: It would have been any day, but I do think it was Halloween in that case.  

KC: That’s true and you were dressed as a Cub Scout.  

Karla: Yes, I was wearing my dad’s actual Cub Scout shirt.

“Rainbow Cardigan” is such a lovely song. Tell me about that one.
Karla: There’s an actual cardigan behind that song. I bought it when we were on a trip to England. We played in Kendal, which became one of our favorite places ever. There’s a ruined castle there that we climbed up to, just like in the song.

A couple of months later, I was thinking about how ancient the ruins felt—and then how, in the grand scheme of things, they’re not ancient at all. Human history is just a tiny speck compared to the age of the Earth or the universe. So the song became about feeling both very old and very young at the same time. The cardigan imagery—its colors and woven fabric—helped tie all of that together.

Let’s go to the beginning of the album. “Terra Mia” opens the record. Tell me about that one.
Karla: The lyrics are very dark and weird. I can’t really explain how it started; it just happened.

KC: Those lyrics are some of your most impressionistic. Almost hallucinogenic.

Karla: It’s kind of telling a story in three ways—present, past, and future. It’s about environmental destruction happening now, but it could also be the near future, or catastrophes from the past. It just came to me that way. It’s one of my favorites.

Another song I really like is “Dusking,” which mentions San Francisco. Tell me about that one.
Karla: The first line came to me while walking to the train on a Saturday night in San Francisco. The song follows that journey—walking to the station, being on the train, heading home.

KC: The cool thing is how it evolved production‑wise, starting with Koi.

Karla: I sang it a cappella into my phone—no chords—and gave it to Koi saying, “Here’s the song. Can you figure out the music?”

KC: He envisioned it as a Pretty in Pink‑style ’80s track. Drum machine, synths—the whole thing. We added layers on top. If it were only Koi, it would’ve gone fully ’80s, but we put just enough brakes on it to make it our own.

Karla: And we got that sad Beach Boys feeling in there too. Charlie figured out how to play real drums alongside the drum machine. He kind of defeats the machine.

Let’s go to the end of the album. “Larkspur Landing”—tell me about that one.
Karla: For most of the time we were making the album, it was called “Dusking 2,” because it also started with me singing the first line on the spot. Later I worked out the chords and expanded the lyrics. There are Bay Area references, but it also grows into an imagined world.

The chorus—“leave all the leaves”—comes from the idea that it’s environmentally important not to rake up leaves. They’re home to invertebrates and caterpillars that birds depend on. In the song, it also takes on a witchy, spooky feeling—like you don’t know what you might stir up if you disturb things.

KC: And it reflects our inherent laziness. Leaving the leaves is easier, so it must be better.

Karla: It is better! I always end up putting composting or decomposing into every album. It’s magical.

A few of your albums are celebrating anniversaries. Matilda Effect hit its 10‑year anniversary last year. What do you think of it now?
Karla: I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. I love that album. We still play a lot of those songs. It’s the only one we’ve released on vinyl.

Going back 20 years—Tomb of Leopards came out in 2006. What do you think of it now?
Karla: That was pre‑KC and pre‑Charlie, which is hard to imagine now. Back then the band was me, Angela, and Koi, with our friend Erin producing. Angela moved away years ago, but she plays on a couple of songs on the new album, which was really fun. Full circle moments.

When was the last time The Corner Laughers played in Los Angeles?
Karla: It’s been a really long time. I think the last time was when Koi and I played a Big Stir showcase—pre‑pandemic, maybe 2018. With the full band, it’s been forever.

Any chance of coming to Los Angeles or touring to support the new album?
Karla: Definitely. We’d love to come down. We have Bay Area shows scheduled, and Koi and I will be playing in Michigan in May. We also have shows in England in August. Nothing in Southern California yet, but we’d love to make it happen.

If The Corner Laughers could open for any band or artist—past or present—who would it be and why?
KC: I think our ideal situation would be to be part of the backing orchestra for Jesus Christ Superstar.

Karla: That needs to happen.

KC: Or a guest appearance on The Muppet Show.

Karla: I think we should open for David Byrne—and also get to be in his giant band so we can do all the dance moves.

If the music of The Corner Laughers were a donut, what kind would it be and why?
Karla: I’m very loyal to one type of donut only. That’s my favorite donut. It’s been my favorite donut my whole life. So I have to stay loyal and say chocolate old fashioned because that is the superior donut.

KC: On the other hand and plus this will bring the different perspectives of the band that inform our artistic inclinations – for me, it’s a twist glaze donut.

Karla: Is that what we sound like or is that your favorite? 

KC:  That’s my favorite donut and that’s what we sound like. 

Karla: I thought jelly donut was your favorite. 

KC:  Jelly donuts are good too. Maybe that’s like kind of the middle ground we would achieve. 

Do we have to wait another six years for the next album?
Karla: I don’t know. We’re pretty slow. I hope not.

What do you hope the rest of this year brings for you and the band?
Karla: I hope our travels go smoothly, and I’m looking forward to bringing the new album to people. I hope listeners enjoy it, and I hope we get to play more music together this year.

KC, the last word?
KC: Immerse yourself in the music, the lyrics, and the production, and let it take you somewhere.

Karla, any final thoughts?
Karla: Thank you to everyone who’s been listening and sharing the album, and to Big Stir for everything they do. And I hope people appreciate KC’s production and mixing—I’m in awe of his genius. We’re happy with how it turned out and happy to share it. And thanks for talking with us.

Congratulations again on the amazing new album. I’m going to enjoy listening to it again right now.
Karla: And I’m going to be thinking about getting a donut right now…

In Conclusion

As Concerns of Wasp and Willow makes its way into the world, The Corner Laughers continue to prove that gentle music can still carry weight, wonder, and a quietly radical sense of care. Karla Kane and KC Bowman remain masters of crafting songs that shimmer with intelligence and imagination—pieces that honor the natural world, celebrate small moments, and find magic in the everyday.

Whether they’re singing about dusk‑lit train rides, medieval ruins, ecological reverence, or the simple joy of leaving the leaves where they fall, The Corner Laughers invite listeners into a universe where curiosity is a compass and kindness is a creative force. With new shows ahead and a renewed sense of connection, the band steps into this next chapter with humor, heart, and a beautifully crafted album that rewards deep listening.

If their music takes you somewhere—as KC hopes it will—you may find yourself returning again and again, discovering new colors woven into the fabric each time. And if you happen to crave a donut afterward, well… you’re in good company.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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