Adam Simons aka Wanderer talks us through the sounds and stories that went into the making of his solo EP
And so the wait is over! Wanderer released City today and is streaming now on Apple Music and Spotify.
The 5-track EP is a pop music with influences from indie rock, 80s music, R&B, and rock. “The mood is dark in some songs, and lighter in others. All have a nostalgic feeling to them. Also, all the songs are based around the same theme, of youth, and relationships, and the dynamics of being in a city,” Simons beams. “It really just started with writing as many songs as possible and picking the best of them. After starting the project, I had the title City in my head and it felt right for every song. 4 out of 5 songs I say ‘city’ in the lyrics.”
Here Adam Simons takes us through a track-by-track guide to one of the cool EPs of 2016.
“Only In The Night”
The first track on the record is the first song that I ever released as Wanderer, called “Only In The Night.” And this song was one I’d been working on for a long time before releasing. I demoed it a couple times, changed parts, recorded it, then recorded it again. So it went through a lot of changes before the final version, but I think it’s a cool track that helps embody the City vibe, and can soundtrack those late nights getting into trouble, and that’s really what it’s about. This song and the rest of the EP were produced by myself and my good friend Dan Parker, here in Arizona.
“Driving”
The second track on the EP is called “Driving,” and this incidentally was the second single I released. The tracks all go in a chronological order, from first to last recorded. But “Driving” is a really special song to me because it represents a lot of specific memories I have, of road trips and 2am drives around town, and that feeling of youth. It has some definite 80’s influence with the guitars/synths, and I think sonically captures that feeling of driving in your car, and not worrying about anything else. [Just] Enjoying the moment!”
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“Call Me Crazy”
Track 3 – “Call Me Crazy” – is a song where I had the instrumental of it – the duelling guitar riffs and everything – around for a couple of years before ever doing anything with. I always thought it was a cool idea, but tried writing lyrics over it and never liked it. So finally this year after not touching it for a while, I dived in again and came up with what you hear today. It’s the most “live-band” sounding song on the record, and I had such a fun time recording the bass on this one, and working with all the rhythmic elements of it. Lyrically, it’s about being in a relationship where your head tells you to not to do it, but your gut says otherwise. And you find yourself growing closer to someone despite your logic that “it won’t work’ or anything else.
“Welcome To The Wild”
The fourth song on the EP is “Welcome To The Wild.” For me, this track is cool because it deviates musically from the other tracks. Where “Driving” and “Call Me Crazy” are lush with synths and guitar keyboards, this song is very bare bones, big, and unapologetic. In a way, it references the vibe of “Only In The Night,” but adds to it. I think of it as a Chapter 2 to the opening track. Being a huge fan of artists like the Arctic Monkeys and the Weeknd really comes through in this one. It also plays into the City theme heavily, and is about two people chasing each other, among all the noise and danger of a big city.
“Make You Feel”
Track 5, the final piece of my record is a song called “Make You Feel,” which happens to be my personal favorite. This one also had been in development for years, with lots of demos and re-written lyrics. But finally it felt like the right time to record it again, and it felt like the EP wouldn’t be complete without it. For me, this song sounds like a summer night, and is really nostalgic. Sonically, it is the best indication of where Wanderer is going next after this, and I think is just a great closer to the album. So give it a listen and let me know what you think.
Tell us your favorite song from Wanderer’s City EP.
Adam Simons invites fans and friends to check out his debut EP. Watch here.
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