Today we’d like to introduce you to Wilde.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Our story begins in the summer of 2015 at Paul’s EP release show, which also happened to be the first time all five members of Wilde played together. Paul knew each member individually and brought them together for this one-off performance. However, after the show, we collectively realized that not only did we love playing music together, but also had made a genuine connection to our audience. For that reason, it was almost unspoken, but we knew that we needed to continue making music together.
Please tell us about your art.
Since Wilde’s formation, we have held, above all else, a strict dedication to fostering conversation through music and live performance. Instead of restricting ourselves to one genre, we have always embraced the unique musical taste/contributions of each individual member. Timmy, our lead guitarist, contributes a gritty, blues perspective, which is complimented by the folk background of our multi-instrumentalist, James. Simultaneously, Steve’s driving basslines inject a funk kick into our music, which Paul, our vocalist, plays off of with his hip-hop inspired lyrics. Finally, Keenan’s drumming provides the necessary cohesion to keep all this craziness bridled. By maintaining this diversity in sound, we strive to communicate with every single member of our audience on a personal level, regardless of their musical preference.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Don’t be afraid to sometimes treat your art as a job; there’s not always a disconnect between the two. We all hope to pursue our passions full time, but what that means right now is a daily hustle which you can’t shy away from. Do your art every day! Although Allen Iverson may not agree, it’s all about the practice.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The best way to support our band, or any local band, is checking out the shows. We put a lot of energy into our live shows, making them as entertaining and engaging as we possibly can. We truly feel that the best way to experience our music is in-person, and we love sharing this with new people. If you like us, tell a friend. If you want to keep in touch, you can find us on all the social media platforms @thatwildeband
Contact Info:
- Website: wilde.band
- Instagram: instagram.com/thatwildeband
- Facebook: facebook.com/thatwildeband
- Twitter: twitter.com/thatwildeband
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/59Rdd134lxZdxKCe9LXkCB?si=rLhgnKW7RPm8wXiRjHHV0Q

Image Credit:
Oscar Izquierdo
Megan Heurich
Tyler Schlossman
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