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Wunderhorse

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Wunderhorse
OriginEngland
GenresIndie rock. Heartland rock · Americana · psychedelic rock  · grunge
LabelsCommunion Music
Spinoff ofDead Pretties
MembersJacob Slater
Jamie Staples
Pete Woodin
Harry Fowler
Past membersOscar Browne

Wunderhorse are an English rock band that originally started as a solo project by frontman and songwriter Jacob Slater in 2019, before becoming a full band in 2021.[1] The band consists of members: Jacob Slater (vocals, guitar), Harry Tristan Fowler (guitars), 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.[1][2] He was previously the frontman of punk trio Dead Pretties before the group's disbandment in 2017.[1] 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.[2][3] 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.[4][2] Slater has cited Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Frank On Tap and Elliott Smith as musical influences.[1][3]

Slater began Wunderhorse as a solo project during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later joined with drummer Jamie Staples, guitarist Harry Fowler, and bassist Pete Woodin to form the current band.[5][6][7] Guitarist Oscar Browne recorded with the band but later left the group.[8][9]

Wunderhorse's debut album Cub was released 7 October 2022 by Communion Music,[10] It was written solely by Slater[11] and produced by Kevin Jones and Peter Woodin.[12][13]

Cub was named one of the best albums of 2022 by NME,[14] Riot,[15] and Far Out.[16] Critics described the album as "a warming blues/garage/indie fire... an album best enjoyed in its entirety and at high volume",[7] "some of the most well-crafted and interesting rock songs of this decade",[17] "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",[2] and "melodic reflection from a man growing into himself".[3]

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".[8]

In 2022, Wunderhorse toured as a supporting act for other bands, opening for Irish punk band Fontaines D.C.,[4][2] Pixies,[2] Foals,[4] and fellow UK singer-songwriters Sam Fender and Declan McKenna.[4] In spring 2023, Wunderhorse toured the United States, with concert dates in several cities and played at Glastonbury Festival 2023 during the summer.[18][19]

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".[20]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Kemp, Ella (4 October 2022). "Wunderhorse: the storytelling songwriter on his debut album 'Cub'". Rolling Stone UK.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Trewhela, Lee (19 November 2022). "Jacob's rise from surf instructor to 'the new Sam Fender'". CornwallLive.
  3. ^ a b c Richards, Will (6 October 2022). "Wunderhorse – 'Cub' review: teenage punk evolves into a rock'n'roll troubadour". NME.
  4. ^ a b c d Rogers, Becky (10 October 2022). "Wunderhorse: punk-turned-Americana songwriter beloved by Fontaines D.C." NME.
  5. ^ "Cub by Wunderhorse". 7 October 2022 – via music.apple.com.
  6. ^ Concerts, Raymond Romanski (29 May 2023). "Fontaines D.C. and Wunderhorse at the Stone Pony: A Proper Post-Punk Party". The Aquarian.
  7. ^ a b James, Luke (9 October 2022). "Review | Wunderhorse - Cub". Clunk Magazine.
  8. ^ a b Zawadzki, Clementine (28 July 2021). "Wunderhorse's Jacob Slater on simmering down but certainly not softening up". Hero.
  9. ^ Smith, Jessie (30 April 2022). "Wunderhorse catches up with an old friend". The Rodeo.
  10. ^ "Wunderhorse". Communion Music.
  11. ^ Shah, Rishi (29 August 2024). "Jacob Slater interview 2024". PRS for music.
  12. ^ "Wunderhorse Releases Debut Album "Cub": Streaming". pm studio world wide news.
  13. ^ Richards, Will (6 October 2022). "Wunderhorse – 'Cub' review: teenage punk evolves into a rock'n'roll troubadour". NME. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  14. ^ Williams, Sophie, ed. (12 December 2022). "The 25 best debut albums of 2022". NME.
  15. ^ "RIOT's Albums of the Year 2022". 11 January 2023.
  16. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2022". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 11 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Review: Wunderhorse - Cub | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com.
  18. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (25 June 2023). "Saturday at Glastonbury 2023: Wunderhorse reviewed". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  19. ^ Geraghty, Hollie (8 March 2023). "Wunderhorse announce new UK and Ireland dates for 2023". NME. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  20. ^ Bowes, Richard (30 August 2024). "Midas Touch: Clash Meets Wunderhorse". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
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