Oh Wonder

The pop-alt group consisting of Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht ambitiously released a song every single month over the course of a year in 2014, which were later released on their 2015 debut album. Since then the band have seen huge international success with three hit albums, two top ten records, over a million sales, a billion streams and sold-out shows worldwide.

The group are no stranger to the ‘Home Tapes’ DIY approach. They started the early days of Oh Wonder by writing, producing and mixing at home together and now they are back in that exact spot exploring their routes and taking it back to how they first started. When asked about the difference of the ‘Home Tapes’ series to their albums Josephine tells us “When you create an album, everything has to tie in. You have to have the upbeat tunes, the slow tunes and you have a perspective which is a joyful thing of course, but now it’s just really nice to create just for the hell of it. Also, releasing music is the best feeling ever, it is getting us both through these tough times.’’

The duo also feels a lot less pressure making these songs, Anthony says “The world is so open-ended right now, you can’t make big decisions so all we can do is make small ones and for us, that is to write songs and produce them. We were meant to be going on a worldwide tour throughout 2020 as well so the other best thing we can do is release new music.’’

The duo who have a distinctive LoFi pop sound complimented by Josephine’s soft vocals, often cover a range of themes in their music including love, relationships, breakups and hope. When it comes to writing the lyrics, Josephine tells us “We try and tap into communal feelings when writing our songs. Music is powerful and we can all share a favourite song but get completely different meanings from it.’’ Despite lockdown, the duo explains “We have always found it quite easy to find inspiration even when we don’t feel very inspired. That’s how we started writing, we can find inspiration in writing about other people’s situations and feelings. We do this in many ways whether it be watching documentaries, reading poems or news articles about what other people are going through. This may take longer for us to write but it’s one of those moments where it is like 1am in the morning and you feel something and a song pours out.’’

Josephine also adds “I have realised the songwriting is just 5% of your effort. In my mind, I can’t write unless I have done exercise, had breakfast, checked my emails and I’m in a good headspace. I have only realised this recently, you can’t turn on a tap of creativity and expect it to flow. You have to fill up a water tank first.’’

The duo not only work together, but they are also a couple who live together. Anthony tells us “We tried to find a balance of work and home life in the first 10 years, but as time has gone on, we realised we personally can’t separate our work life and home life.’’ Josephine adds “There are no 9-5 hours in our job, It is consuming but in a brilliant way.’’ Although the duo feels they do not have the most equal balance in that sense, they have learnt throughout the years the best way to live, work and make music together.

Lockdown may appear to be a very creative time for Oh Wonder but they have also taken this time to do other things they love. Anthony tells us about his endless love for cooking while Josephine enjoys her exercise just as much as she loves her downtime and relaxing on her recently purchased hammock. The duo’s best piece of advice for their fans during lockdown is “We are all very lucky to be here, everyone is feeling a bit unsettled right now but an important bit of advice is do not force yourself to be productive. You can take this time to rest, or not. Either one is fine. Make your own rules and do not worry.’’

‘I Like It When You Love Me’ is the latest instalment from the ‘Home Tapes’ Project where the band give us personal insight on the highs and lows of a relationship. They have also shared the video for their last track ‘Keep On Dancing’, a song inspired by Josephine having to cancel her birthday party due to lockdown. The band have created another DIY personal touch as they have used footage in the video of fans lockdown birthday parties around the world.

The group hope their music and videos from ‘Home Tapes’ provides some comfort, companionship and relief to those who need it. Keep your eyes peeled for some more incoming Home Tapes releases.