Happy new music Friday! The end of the week not only signifies a looming break from the chaotic working world, but it also brings with it the promise of an endless flow of fresh music releases. And, this week’s stream brings with it Waves Rush In’s newest project, “Hearts Are Home”. An indie-tinged five-piece EP that promises to whisk you away from worldly realities and into a warm realm filled with the artist’s folky vocals and beautiful blend of dance-worthy production and classical instrumentation, it easily becomes one of the more serene releases of the week.
“My main focus with this EP was to continue my desire to share truth and wisdom,” shares Waves Rush In To make sure my lyrics are meaningful and have depth and substance. But equally, to uplift people and bring them into a world when they’re listening to each individual song so that I could tell them a story and give them a chance to experience some of the emotions I was going through when writing the songs and the experiences that informed them. And also, to make them a little more upbeat, a vibe that people can dance to, celebrate to and listen to in the car, find catharsis, find insight and celebrate life.”
Upon the release of his newest EP, the UK-hailing artist sits down with Wonderland to discuss the pinch-me moments he has whilst in the studio, creating his newest project and unintentionally exploring a new indie-pop sound through his new work. Head below to enjoy our interview with Waves Rush In...
Hey! How are you? How has this past year been for you?
I’m wonderful, thanks. This past year has been great so far. It feels like we’re coming out of COVID, and things are opening up around the world, along with all of the opportunities for up and coming artists like myself. I’ve been able to travel and I recently got together with some collaborators to write an album which was the highlight of my year so far.
Talk us through your early beginnings, how did you first get into music?
Music has been around me since I was a young boy, but not so directly. I had the opportunity to go to some gigs when I was young, but really my love for music started when I was around 17 with my older cousins and uncle playing their guitars around the campfire. I was transfixed from the moment I saw them jamming and made it my mission to pick up the guitar and be a part of the clan. I ended up doing the standard “Wonderwall” on repeat for about four years until I had bled everyone’s ears out, so then I began writing. I became a filmmaker and adventurer, so my career and life actually took over for a while. Music was put on the backburner. It was around five years ago I realised that if I didn’t give my love for music the time it deserved right now, it would be a deathbed regret. So I put the time and care into my passion to hone the craft and give being a singer-songwriter a proper shot.
And where are you from? Do you think your hometown has impacted your sound in any way?
I grew up between England and the Caribbean. I was schooled in England and spent any holiday we had overseas. In England, I lived between Oxford and London, where both have certainly impacted me in different ways. I think London is such a diverse city with a lot of good vibes, live music, bars and fun which has certainly informed my character. The Caribbean has also influenced me dearly. Everywhere I’ve been and everyone I’ve ever met in my life has had an impact on my music.
And you’re about to drop your sophomore EP, “Hearts are Home” talk us through your mindset going into the project?
My main focus with this EP was to continue my desire to share truth and wisdom. To make sure my lyrics are meaningful and have depth and substance. But equally, to uplift people and bring them into a world when they’re listening to each individual song so that I could tell them a story and give them a chance to experience some of the emotions I was going through when writing the songs and the experiences that informed them. And also, to make them a little more upbeat, a vibe that people can dance to, celebrate to and listen to in the car, find catharsis, find insight and celebrate life.
With this project, you focused on a more indie-pop sound, what made you focus on this?
I don’t think I specifically went into it thinking of making an indie-pop sound. I think the culmination of my writing style and personality, whilst trying to be more upbeat in tone and vibe, creates a more indie-pop sound. Some of these songs were actually written previous to my first EP, but when I put the collection of songs forward for the second EP, they just came out this way. I don’t ever try to write as per a genre, it’s just the genre that these songs seemed to be most suited to.
Looking back on the production process, was there anything challenging about it?
I absolutely love the production process and there’s still a part of me that is a little kid when it comes to this world of being a singer-songwriter and making music. I’m so grateful to be doing what I love after so long, and I find myself sitting in the studio just pinching myself that I’m sitting, writing and recording my own songs. Every moment in the studio is an absolute joy. On this EP, I worked with Richard Craker who’s a good friend. We always have a blast. There aren’t too many challenges in the decision making. We go with what feels right and it’s usually pretty obvious to us what the right decision should be at each step of the recording process. Music is all about what sounds and feels best at the moment, and we have pretty similar tastes when it comes to that.
What do you hope people take away from it?
A smile, an uplift and insight. I want them to walk away from listening to the songs as a more enriched person, whether through having a dance or reminding them of their memories and experiences, an old love, or just inspiring them to get out and travel more. Oh, and hopefully leave them wanting more too!
What song means the most to you?
All of these songs mean something to me. I wouldn’t be a good writer if they didn’t. But I suppose the one that has the most emotional impact on me is “Intoxicated”. It was written during a time in my life when I was feeling such strong feelings around my desire to have an aspect of my relationship fulfilled that I was missing at the time. It was a powerful energy that I channelled into the song, and it greatly informed the lyrics and music, and I think it’s a track that a lot of people can relate to.
Who would you say inspires you?
Everything inspires me. I think that, as a creative and an artist, you have a different lens through which you look through life with. Any big moment, any small moment, any experience, any insight is all paying service to a narrative and one’s music. On a grander scale, my biggest sources of inspiration are person-to-person relationships and mother nature in all its diverse facets. I’m trying to speak truth and wisdom in a creative way that benefits peoples’ lives.
What’s next and what are you most excited for?
I’m absolutely so bloody grateful to be doing what I love. After spending so many years of not having the self-belief or confidence to follow it, to now finally be doing it… I’m just so grateful to be writing music, producing music and putting music out. I just want to continue. That’s just such a lovely place to be in. I think the time has come to share my music live with different audiences and I’m excited to learn the skill of getting up and feeding off a live audience, hearing my songs and sharing all the hard work I’ve put in with people. Hopefully, I’ll be able to add value to their day and give them a good time at the same time. I’m also incredibly excited about the collection of songs that I’ve written this year. I can’t wait to start putting them out later in the year.