Hello, thank you for your time, please introduce yourself in a few words!
Well hey there, I’m AJ Wander…A 26 year old that writes sad songs and gives awkward interviews.
Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
Let’s break this thing down:
New single: ‘When You Say I Love You’ – ETA March 25th
New Album: I have an EP recorded and itching to be released . It’ll be out summer ’22!
Tour dates: Sadly, no tour currently booked but I’m playing the odd UK show here and there. Equally, if you’d like me to come sing you some songs in your living room, let me know.
New Videos: It’s happening!
Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
I’m honest, I wear my heart on my sleeve
I don’t like to feel limited by one specific sound or sonic identity…I want to evolve as I make more music
I’m a Londoner (SE London to be precise)
I make terrible dad jokes when I’m nervous
3 of my musical influences are: Paolo Nutini, James Blake, Coldplay
What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
Hmm, I mean I’m mildly obsessed with Carhart…not entirely sure how my hoodie or beige corduroy hat describes my sad pop songs but hey ho. Mum – if your reading this, here’s a sly hint for birthday/xmas presents.
Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?
A real mix, the stuff I’ve released up to now has definitely been written about my many romantic failures. The majority of my writing is orientated around the trials and tribulations of my own life, cathartic expressions that allow me to better understand what goes on in my brain. More recently though, I’ve been fixated on observational writing, trying to interpret the worlds of people around me. I love to wrap sad topics in anthem production…some emotional chalk and cheese.
Beside music, do you have any special talents?
I can touch my noise with my tongue and I’m not too useless in a game of scrabble.
Being on stage feels like….!
Everything! To be able to watch people connect with your songs and for me in-turn to connect with them in real time is a feeling like no other. It’s like discovering another dimension to communication and it’s what I love most about my job. Hopefully covid is behind us and I can finally get out on the road sometime soon!
How did you learn to sing/ to write/ to play??
I’ve been singing since my earliest memory. I first started playing piano aged 14 – we had an old Yamaha piano in the lounge as a kid. I watched a YouTube tutorial on how to play ‘Let It Be’, which was my grandad’s favourite song. I kind of taught myself from there, fumbling my way through pop chord-charts, annoying my brother and sister on the daily. The writing soon followed…
A question you’d like to answer, but never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
What’s your favourite Haribo:
Tangfastics Cherries (For those of you unfortunate enough not to have experienced these sweets, I feel for you)
Instagram: @ajwander