Since 2015, indie-rock and pop-punk band The Wrecks have built a loyal following by selling out shows, embracing a DIY approach, and maintaining a strong presence on social media. Led by Nick Anderson (vocals, guitar, keyboard, and production), The Wrecks have constantly evolved, with a lineup that also includes Nicolas Schmidt (lead guitar), Aaron Kelley (bass), and William Nally (drums). Their adaptability has helped them earn a dedicated fanbase and nearly 300 million streams. Melomaniacs got to be part of their press conference and listen to Nick explain why this project is so special.
The band’s identity comes back in the Project INSIDE :, the first part of their new album, which was written and produced by Nick Anderson. With six new songs to explore creatively, Nick has certainly achieved that. After being stuck in a writing loop for a year, Nick realised he was isolating himself from the world to create the ‘perfect’ record and not writing healthily. To get further creatively, he decided to split things up and clearly define a theme. The project is a curated set of six songs from the many he wrote during his self-isolation and about what happens when you spend enough time with yourself. It is about that even when you isolate yourself, the outside world will eventually crack through your walls and reach out to you.
The themes in their songs often explore the interplay between internal and external worlds, a concept reflected through rich metaphors and even the title of their announced ‘INSIDE : OUTSIDE’ North American tour. The cover art has the band all fitted in the cover art itself — seriously, have a go at trying to see which limb belongs to who because it is virtually impossible — and this creative direction has been taken through to the visualisers and movie videos of the singles, like one where the band is trapped inside a clock. According to Nick, he had a few temporarily empty rooms in his house and made arts and crafts sets in the house to explore the world that is inside. This has created a unique experience where the visual art feels almost as important as the music, perfectly complementing the songs.
‘Always, Everytime’ was the first single of this project, based on a childhood story but branded by The Wrecks themselves as an ‘autistic love anthem’. With a buildup in the song that could have gotten an A in storytelling, it advances into a catchy chorus with repeating words that will sound great at a live show: “So talk, talk, talk to me ‘til my ears bleed,” and “Walk, walk, walk, walk me through your theories.”
The pop-punk sound instantly comes back in powerfully sung lyrics in the second single ‘Speed’. The song talks about being stuck inside and imagining what could happen in the outside world. Visually, bringing the outside world in through placing grass and plants inside, but still doing ‘mundane inside tasks’ like vacuuming.
A sneak peek of the upcoming single ‘I Didn’t Use To’ — set to drop alongside INSIDE : — reveals another strong addition to the project’s narrative. Be prepared for some great music, as Nick gave it all he got, even adding a bridge to the song after it was already sent to the label. The plucking of the guitar, chord progression and addition of the drums successfully enhance the emotions that come from the self-realisation Nick has in the song, resulting in the perfect song to scream in your car.
INSIDE : is music about honest experiences, created to relate to and explore one’s self. The project INSIDE : is released on April 11th, and you can listen to it here.
Written by: Tessa Kaldenbach
Edited by: Ilse Muis
