Wanderraven is everything you love about the independent music scene. We recently caught up with him to learn more about his next moves and his upcoming show at The Hotel Cafe.
Thanks for taking some moments with us today. Please tell us about your upcoming October 4th show in Hollywood!
I'm really excited to be returning to Hotel Cafe. This time I'll be playing the main stage at 7pm on Friday the 4th. It'll be good vibes for sure.
Do you typically write from a musician standpoint first or as a lyricist and the music comes later?
It varies. Most songs probably start with some sort of musical vibe or an idea. If it's an idea first, I'll try to make the music feel right for the idea. If it's music first, then usually melody follows and lyrics/concept follows. But truthfully it just depends on the day, who's in the room and what feels inspiring. It's all about tapping into the source of inspiration and chasing that rabbit.
What is the last album you bought?
I'm ashamed to say it's hard to remember in the age of streaming. Actually, I supported a fundraising campaign for Brent Shuttleworth's new album, which I'm excited about. He's an amazingly talented artist and a great friend so I pre-ordered his upcoming release and am super stoked to hear it.
The first album you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought with my own money was LIVE, Throwing Copper.
Who are some vocalists that inspire you?
This list is constantly evolving as there are so many great singers out there. Some of my all-time favorites are Van Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Nicks, and Chris Cornell. Newer favorites include Ed Sheehan, Khalid, and Sam Harris (X Ambassadors).
What do you do in your spare time when you are not out touring or in the studio?
Aside from spending time with family and friends, I love to be outside. Hiking, surfing, snowboarding - any sort of outdoor activity gets me going. I also love to travel, eat well, watch movies, listen to podcasts.
How can we best support you and your new music?
Stream away and tell your friends. I still feel like the best way to discover new music is by hearing about it from your friends. So I ask anyone that streams my music to please add it to their playlists and share it with their friends. Also, come see me perform when I'm in your area. I also love playing private parties so if you're interested, reach out!