Wunderhorse
Wunderhorse | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Newquay, Cornwall, UK[1] |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Labels | Communion |
| Spinoff of | Dead Pretties |
| Members | Jacob Slater Jamie Staples Pete Woodin Harry Fowler |
| Past members | Oscar Browne |
Wunderhorse are an English rock band formed in 2020 by frontman and songwriter Jacob Slater. Initially a solo project, Wunderhorse became a full band in 2021,[2] with Slater (vocals, guitar) being joined by Harry Tristan Fowler (guitar), Peter Woodin (bass) and Jamie Staples (drums). They have released two albums and toured internationally.
History
[edit]Jacob Slater left home at age 17 and lived in London for five years.[2][3] He was previously the frontman of punk trio Dead Pretties before the group's disbandment in 2017.[2] After the Dead Pretties broke up, Slater moved to Newquay, Cornwall, where he found odd jobs as a labourer and worked as a surfing instructor while continuing to write music.[3][4] During this time Slater also landed an acting role, playing drummer Paul Cook in Pistol, a six-part miniseries about the Sex Pistols directed by Danny Boyle.[5][3] Slater has cited Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Elliott Smith as musical influences.[2][4]
Slater began Wunderhorse as a solo project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked about the band's name, Slater told Hero: "There's this old TV show from the 50s or 60s called Champion the Wonder Horse... I started using the name as a joke and it was one of those things that stuck".[6] He later joined with drummer Jamie Staples, guitarist Harry Fowler, and bassist Pete Woodin to form the current band.[7][8][9] Guitarist Oscar Browne recorded with the band but later left the group.[6][10]
Wunderhorse's debut album Cub was released 7 October 2022 by Communion Music,[11] It was written solely by Slater[12] and produced by Kevin Jones and Peter Woodin.[13][14]
Cub was named one of the best albums of 2022 by NME,[15] Riot,[16] and Far Out.[17] Critics described the album as "a warming blues/garage/indie fire... an album best enjoyed in its entirety and at high volume",[9] "some of the most well-crafted and interesting rock songs of this decade",[18] "a brilliant catalogue of teenage life - ill-fated love, drugs, self-destruction, depression as well as youthful joy - all to a rousing soundtrack that harks back to the 1990s",[3] and "melodic reflection from a man growing into himself".[4]
In 2022, Wunderhorse toured as a supporting act for other bands, opening for Irish punk band Fontaines D.C.,[5][3] Pixies,[3] Foals,[5] and fellow UK singer-songwriters Sam Fender and Declan McKenna.[5] In spring 2023, Wunderhorse toured the United States, with concert dates in several cities and played at Glastonbury Festival 2023 during the summer.[19][20]
Wunderhorse released their second album, Midas, on 30 August 2024. It was produced by former Rolling Stones producer Craig Silvey and was preceded by the release of five singles: the title track "Midas", "Silver", "July", "Rain", and "Arizona".[21] The album received critical acclaim from multiple publications,[22][23][24][25] and charted at number 6 the following week on the UK Albums Chart.[26]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
- Cub (2022)
- Midas (2024)
References
[edit]- ^ Mistlin, Sasha (23 August 2024). "'We like it when things fall apart': heavy rockers Wunderhorse on embracing music's messy side". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d Kemp, Ella (4 October 2022). "Wunderhorse: the storytelling songwriter on his debut album 'Cub'". Rolling Stone UK.
- ^ a b c d e f Trewhela, Lee (19 November 2022). "Jacob's rise from surf instructor to 'the new Sam Fender'". CornwallLive.
- ^ a b c Richards, Will (6 October 2022). "Wunderhorse – 'Cub' review: teenage punk evolves into a rock'n'roll troubadour". NME.
- ^ a b c d Rogers, Becky (10 October 2022). "Wunderhorse: punk-turned-Americana songwriter beloved by Fontaines D.C." NME.
- ^ a b Zawadzki, Clementine (28 July 2021). "Wunderhorse's Jacob Slater on simmering down but certainly not softening up". Hero.
- ^ "Cub by Wunderhorse". 7 October 2022 – via music.apple.com.
- ^ Concerts, Raymond Romanski (29 May 2023). "Fontaines D.C. and Wunderhorse at the Stone Pony: A Proper Post-Punk Party". The Aquarian.
- ^ a b James, Luke (9 October 2022). "Review | Wunderhorse - Cub". Clunk Magazine.
- ^ Smith, Jessie (30 April 2022). "Wunderhorse catches up with an old friend". The Rodeo.
- ^ "Wunderhorse". Communion Music.
- ^ Shah, Rishi (29 August 2024). "Jacob Slater interview 2024". PRS for music.
- ^ "Wunderhorse Releases Debut Album "Cub": Streaming". pm studio world wide news.
- ^ Richards, Will (6 October 2022). "Wunderhorse – 'Cub' review: teenage punk evolves into a rock'n'roll troubadour". NME. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Williams, Sophie, ed. (12 December 2022). "The 25 best debut albums of 2022". NME.
- ^ "RIOT's Albums of the Year 2022". 11 January 2023.
- ^ "The 50 best albums of 2022". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Review: Wunderhorse - Cub | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (25 June 2023). "Saturday at Glastonbury 2023: Wunderhorse reviewed". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Geraghty, Hollie (8 March 2023). "Wunderhorse announce new UK and Ireland dates for 2023". NME. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Bowes, Richard (30 August 2024). "Midas Touch: Clash Meets Wunderhorse". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Duran, Anagricel (30 August 2024). "Wunderhorse – 'Midas' review: a masterclass in the business of evolution". NME. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Richards, Will (29 August 2024). "Wunderhorse 'Midas' review: Rising indie stars have their golden moment". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Wunderhorse - Midas". DIY. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Wunderhorse: Midas Review - golden touch | Indie". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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