Optimistic pop duo WOWH are London based writing/production duo Nick Harrison and Toby Couling.
Coming together over a shared love of layered harmonies and melodic joy, they're intent on adding some bubblegum pizazz into 2017 synth-pop.
Unsurprisingly, their slick studio skills and effortless songcraft is already turning heads and wowing festival crowds this summer, despite their relatively low profile to date.
We caught up with our previous Featured Artists just before the release of latest single Early Hours to find out what makes them tick...
What was the first song you developed an obsession for?
N: I think it was probably Dangerous by Michael Jackson.. I remember dancing to that at my Dad’s work on repeat, driving his customers crazy!!
T: I loved that album also I’ll say that on cassette tape!
What’s the first gig you went to?
T: REEF at the Portsmouth Pyramids. I remember distinctly going back stage to meet the band as my cousin was going out with the bass player at the time. Dominic Greenwood let me sit on his drum kit and he gave me a pair of drum sticks. I think that might have been the moment when I first thought that I would like a job in music.
N: The first ‘proper’ gig I remember going to was the Reading Festival 2002. Other than that I was going/playing a lot of local gigs. I loved Reading because of the concrete jungle stage - moshing/skanking all day Saturday. I was very cool.
What’s the first instrument you ever got hold of?
T: Singing and playing pots and pans along with my mum playing the piano.
N: My Dad had an old keyboard that played Greensleeves as a demo. I remember being well into that tune. Absolute banger!
What is your worst musical habit?
T: Probably wanting to record too many harmonies.
N: I agree, always wanting to sing more parts! I guess we always hear them but knowing when to stop is important.
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
T: Be yourself and listen.
N: Play for the song and believe in your performance.
Where do you discover new music?
T: Asking the staff at cafes if I like something I hear, or from friends.
N: Finding out from friends is always a good - nothing better than being recommended something by someone you love - and local gigs.
What’s your favourite venue?
T: It has to be the Dublin Olympia. A beautiful theatre with the most up for it crowd near loads of Guinness.
N: Can’t beat Brixton for me, such an iconic room. Seen so many incredible performances there.
Who is your current favourite band/artist?
T: DD Dumbo (thanks to my brother in Melbourne for the tip off)
N: Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Hendricks, Lambert & Ross.
What inspirations outside of music impact your songwriting?
T: People, travel and Alan Watts Lectures.
N: Life has a funny way of throwing inspiration at you, it could be anything from a drunken political conversation or a resurfacing distant memory. Meeting people and experiencing things, making notes and having fun. ***CHEESY ANSWER KLAXON***
What track of yours best represents your sound?
T: In my opinion Right Way best suits our sound. The production fuses our love for live and programmed sounds: synths and upright pianos, drum machines and vintage drum kits, Moogs and the bass guitar. It has our energy within in it that we hope can translate good vibes through the airwaves.
N: Toby got in there with Right Way so I’ll say The Overdrive. It has our favourite production approach, lots of great live performances and features some of our talented friends! Plus it’s the first song we wrote together :)
What’s next for you?
N: I’ll answer this.
T: I’ll pop the kettle on.
N: Summer festivals, which we are excited for, our next single Early Hours, touring in the autumn and recording our first album. SUPER PUMPED!
@WOWHSQUAD soundcloud.com/wowh
Check out the new single
Coming together over a shared love of layered harmonies and melodic joy, they're intent on adding some bubblegum pizazz into 2017 synth-pop.
Unsurprisingly, their slick studio skills and effortless songcraft is already turning heads and wowing festival crowds this summer, despite their relatively low profile to date.
We caught up with our previous Featured Artists just before the release of latest single Early Hours to find out what makes them tick...
What was the first song you developed an obsession for?
N: I think it was probably Dangerous by Michael Jackson.. I remember dancing to that at my Dad’s work on repeat, driving his customers crazy!!
T: I loved that album also I’ll say that on cassette tape!
What’s the first gig you went to?
T: REEF at the Portsmouth Pyramids. I remember distinctly going back stage to meet the band as my cousin was going out with the bass player at the time. Dominic Greenwood let me sit on his drum kit and he gave me a pair of drum sticks. I think that might have been the moment when I first thought that I would like a job in music.
N: The first ‘proper’ gig I remember going to was the Reading Festival 2002. Other than that I was going/playing a lot of local gigs. I loved Reading because of the concrete jungle stage - moshing/skanking all day Saturday. I was very cool.
What’s the first instrument you ever got hold of?
T: Singing and playing pots and pans along with my mum playing the piano.
N: My Dad had an old keyboard that played Greensleeves as a demo. I remember being well into that tune. Absolute banger!
What is your worst musical habit?
T: Probably wanting to record too many harmonies.
N: I agree, always wanting to sing more parts! I guess we always hear them but knowing when to stop is important.
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
T: Be yourself and listen.
N: Play for the song and believe in your performance.
Where do you discover new music?
T: Asking the staff at cafes if I like something I hear, or from friends.
N: Finding out from friends is always a good - nothing better than being recommended something by someone you love - and local gigs.
What’s your favourite venue?
T: It has to be the Dublin Olympia. A beautiful theatre with the most up for it crowd near loads of Guinness.
N: Can’t beat Brixton for me, such an iconic room. Seen so many incredible performances there.
Who is your current favourite band/artist?
T: DD Dumbo (thanks to my brother in Melbourne for the tip off)
N: Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Hendricks, Lambert & Ross.
What inspirations outside of music impact your songwriting?
T: People, travel and Alan Watts Lectures.
N: Life has a funny way of throwing inspiration at you, it could be anything from a drunken political conversation or a resurfacing distant memory. Meeting people and experiencing things, making notes and having fun. ***CHEESY ANSWER KLAXON***
What track of yours best represents your sound?
T: In my opinion Right Way best suits our sound. The production fuses our love for live and programmed sounds: synths and upright pianos, drum machines and vintage drum kits, Moogs and the bass guitar. It has our energy within in it that we hope can translate good vibes through the airwaves.
N: Toby got in there with Right Way so I’ll say The Overdrive. It has our favourite production approach, lots of great live performances and features some of our talented friends! Plus it’s the first song we wrote together :)
What’s next for you?
N: I’ll answer this.
T: I’ll pop the kettle on.
N: Summer festivals, which we are excited for, our next single Early Hours, touring in the autumn and recording our first album. SUPER PUMPED!
@WOWHSQUAD soundcloud.com/wowh
Check out the new single
