INTERVIEW: WCB drops new single “Picnics & Liquor”

New Zealand-born singer-songwriter and producer WCB is fast becoming known for his unique sound which distils elements of R&B, pop, trip hop and electronic music into an original neo-soul cocktail that’s seen him win over fans and tastemakers alike. Now based in Sydney, Australia, his music is wrapped in an otherworldly allure, drawing listeners into a hauntingly beautiful sonic sphere. Trained in production at Ableton Liveschool, WCB has developed his production talent, experimenting with unexpected layering to create his original sound.

With a deep connection to pagan and Wiccan practices, WCB’s music offers a spiritual experience. His live shows, featuring floor-to-ceiling projections, fully immerse audiences and transport them to ethereal worlds of lush and stormy dreamscapes.

First capturing his sound in the studio in 2020, he shared his debut single “Catharsis” and took his first steps as a solo artist under his initials; WCB. Since then, he’s dropped a string of well-received singles over the years as he continues to share his constantly evolving and always compelling creative output. As an artist deeply involved in all aspects of his music, from art direction to visual conceptualisation, WCB brings to life his musical vision exactly as he sees it.

Now he brings us his latest release with the brand new single titled “Picnics & Liquor,” penned as an ode to carefree and boozy gatherings with friends outside. This time applying a more pop-focused approach to his unique brand of indie electronic music, with “Picnics & Liquor” WCB unveils his knack for crafting playful and instantly catchy music with bags of wide appeal.

Recording and producing the track himself, his voice is stitched into the fabric of the single, cut and pitched as percussive elements throughout the song. Kicked off by the clop of crisp rhythmic samples as pitched vocalisations flow above, the track jumps into a smooth groove as the mellow beat underpins WCB’s soulful vocal layers, overlapping to craft an alluring sound backed by bold instrumental stabs.

Floating down to a stripped back scene of minimal drums with the artist’s elegant vocals drifting above, the arrangement builds with intricate textures as WCB’s voice lays down a sensational performance to get utterly lost in. Capturing an upbeat vibe with memorable melodic lines from start to finish, “Picnics & Liquor” sees WCB reveal a new side of his sound, delivered in spectacular fashion.

We caught up with WCB to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Picnics & Liquor” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with WCB below.

Hey WCB, how’s things?

Hey! Things are good! Busy but good!

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

My earliest memories of making music or at least singing, was learning harmonies to Christmas songs with my grandmother while we did the washing at the communal laundry, she loved to sing and always gave me tricky harmonies to master. In terms of my own music, I bought a cheap drum pad and used a free programme called Audacity to loop and layer my voice, some years ago now but I remember that being my first foray into putting ideas into motion

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

I love artist like FKA Twigs, Sevdaliza, Raye, Lo-Fang, Air, I tend to draw inspiration most from female or ‘femme’ artists as the vocal recordings always feel so lush an sensual to me and a lot of the themes I write from warrant that energy.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Personal experience, definitely, also gossiping with friends about world domination and our experiences with the world around us. I also have a tendency to make up songs to anything rhythmic, cue the coffee machines cleaning cycle haha its a curse – in the silliest way.

What’s been your highlight of the year so far?

Putting out ‘Picnics & Liquor’ has been the highlight! This track is a bit more pop leaning and the response has been really validating, not that I search for that but it certainly feels good when people are vibing to your music.

What do you love about the Sydney music scene?

TBH its tough, it seems a transition into smaller artist led events is on the horizon, but when it’s good it’s GREAT, often diverse lineups where you can find your new favourite artist.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

For this song, lazily sipping a cocktail on a picnic blanket in the sun somewhere, for most of my record a walk around the city as the light moves into early evening.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I think continuing to learn when to stop, and when to edit has kept my style evolving, I used to notoriously write 6 minute PLUS songs and I guess be a bit more indulgent (Haha) I’m trying to focus on being succinct with what I’m trying to say and the emotion I want to evoke in the listener.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

hmmm Bjork, or FKA Twigs OR Caroline Polachek, can we do a joint venture?!

How did you find making your new single “Picnics & Liquor”?

I had fun with this track, as I said before it’s a bit more on the pop end of things for me, which was nice to lean into. I also had fun with creating textures with my voice, effecting them and creating a lush backing for the lead. Production wise I challenged myself to keep it simple with effective and clean sounds like incorporating nostalgic wood blocks, then layering several synths to create an almost organ effect, making sure everything had its own space to shine.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

I wanted it to feel like dappled sun hitting your face through the trees, and the thrill of a crush eventuating into something a bit more, but never that serious, like when you finally get a break and everything feels good and right – but in the back of your mind you know its fleeting.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Cowboy Carter just came out so I have been thrashing that, and actually my manager came for dinner the other night and put on Malibu (Anderson Paak) and I hadn’t listened to that album in ages to that’s been on repeat as well.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

To feel something, anything really. Hopefully it aligns with the narrative of the track but I just find a lot of the time we feel pressured to make music that sounds like what is popular at any which time, I wanna make music that makes people feel things.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Touring my live show ‘Sigil’ has been my favourite live experience, for both the small audiences in a city whenre people didn’t know about me and then the bigger audiences where I had more of a following, I think its humbling AND important to recognise where you are and who you could be to an audience, I also love watching people come see shows 3 or 4 times in a row, its a cool feeling having converted them haha.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival?

Caroline Polachek, Tricky, Flume, weird mix but I think it would work.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Make mistakes, sometimes they can level up your music. Carve out time to do focussed learning, in an area of production or songwriting that you haven’t focussed on before. Rehearse as if you are performing in front of a big audience, and try to play live as much as possible, its a great way to test out music and to get a gauge from people as to whether they love it hate it or are indifferent.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2024?

All going to plan I have an EP coming out toward the middle of the year! Lots of which I have had in the bank for a while so I’m so ready for people to hear what I have been working on!

Listen to Picnics & Liquor below