A Brisbane-based singer-songwriter and producer, The Wunderland has recently released their debut EP titled 'From Chaos & Synergy'.
An award-winning poet with a background in hip hop, slam poetry and spoken word performance, The Wunderland brings a stack of experience to the project having been involved in a variety of musical and theatrical projects over the years, and getting played on Triple J and community radio.Who is the Wunderland... The musical feels of the Wunderland come inspired by a kaleidoscope of interwoven strands of righteous life: from secret spy base desert treks to Death Valley, Indiana Jones-esque Vision Quests, to walking Jedi-mind mazes through South American shaman hazes, to Himalayan treks through live-wired war zones and cycling across Australia promoting eco-logic, these post-apocalyptic Mad Max melodies of dystopic proportions call on all climate crisis orphans to sprout.
The Wunderland is singer-songwriter, producer currently based in Brisbane. An award-winning poet with background in hip hop, slam poetry and spoken word performance. Started musical life playing piano and saxophone at primary school and graduated to bass guitar in death metal band Decimation at a Catholic high school, all which helped hone his appreciation of pushing boundaries and creative adventures.
Previously involved in a variety of bands/ projects over the years including rapping with ten-piece Chameleon Brass Band, recycled percussionistas with Junkadelic, played on Triple J, 4ZZZ, RTR, 2SER with the Juice Media, Three Eyed Fish, and Gaiatribe as well as Mofu and the Crepe Paper Kalashnikovs, Atomic Oz, Orbis 3, the Beatdown etc. and performed at festivals around Queensland and Australia.
I sound like... Radiohead's cousin had a baby with Rage Against The Machine, which was delivered by Bright Eyes into The Crystal Method's raving arms while Cat Stevens was making high tea.
My first gig was... My first ever gig was at my conservative Catholic high school with our death metal band Decimation playing a medley of Metallica and Slayer covers (ie. 'For Whom The Bell Tolls', 'South Of Heaven', 'Seasons In The Abyss', 'The Call Of Ktulu', 'Orion' and 'Master Of Puppets') causing all the Year 1s and 2s to imitate us and start head-banging in unison, and simultaneously all the teachers to start determinedly praying for our souls.
When did you settle on your artistic name, and was it a unanimous decision... The name emerged from a healthy kick of Jungian psychology and eco-philosophy served with a garnish of Greek mythology.
In the studio... At U-Live Studios in Byron there was a lot of swimming, chilling, and viewing of u-beaut vistas; at Muskies Sunshine Production Studio in the Valley a lot of dancing, jamming, and waxing philosophical; at Alchemix Studios South Brisbane a lot of burgers, Bluey, beats, and ginger beer.
If I could tour with anyone... Would love to tour with Pink Floyd, Electric Fields, Baker Boy, Beastie Boys, John Butler Trio, Holly Throsby, Radiohead, Bright Eyes, First Aid Kit, Of Monsters and Men, Florence and the Machine.
Social media is... A many-headed beast that requires love, attention, and disciplined boundaries.
My favourite app at the moment is... Raiz micro-investing app – because you can design your own ethical/ sustainable investment portfolios.
Life on the road can be... Long, hot, and sweaty, and an absolute riot especially when riding a bicycle across Australia, or touring the country with Saritah and the Atomic Oz band of merry pranksters.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Lots of Brookvale Union ginger beer, Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and wood-fired pizza with LOTS of kalamata olives and anchovies (yum!).
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... A hard choice between: Jumping off a 160m suspension bridge amidst a Himalayan civil war with only an ankle loop after being bailed up at gun/grenade point to make "a donation" to the revolutionary cause; or, being forced to sing and play guitar at the Bangladeshi Border by by gun-toting Border Police; or performing slam poetry to 5,000 Pentecostal Christians.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... Hugh Jackman because he's a singing Wolverine, Grace Tame coz she's tough, compassionate and awesome, and Amal Clooney because she can perform very persuasive advocacy in the court rooms of the world.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Miami as I love the Art Deco designs of South Beach and open canvas-scapes of Wynwood Walls.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? Greta Thunberg, Zack de la Rocha and Noam Chomsky because the small talk would be heavy as, and the conversation would go for days.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Vegetarian lasagne, Caprese salad, wood-fired garlic bread and some sharp zingy Coonawarra Shiraz.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Lover (grew up with cats and rabbits) but I have been pet-single for a while.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Freshly shaken, not stirred, espresso martinis mixed on Patrón to help remember the good ol' days.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... The outside gym at my local park last weekend working out with my 18-month-old daughter on the monkey bars like a pro (she's probably stronger than me).
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Catching spiders, but I love dishwashing and laundry – it's my low-CD outlet; yes, I'm weird-ish.
Do you have any phobias? Heights and spiders. . . especially tall spiders or spiders at height; kinda likes snakes on a plane but different.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Yes, maybe a slowed-down version of 'The Great Race' or a new season of 'The Apprentice' starring the Trump family as the apprentices and me in the "you're all fired!" hot seat.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? My fiancée, the future of robot-kind depends on it; her name is Sarah Connor.
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma? Halloumi Yiros with a side of Greek salad and sweet potato fries from the Yiros Shop in the Valley.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? A cross between (i) Neo, (ii) the White Rabbit and (iii) the Big Lebowski – because (i) I'm energetic, (ii) I love contemplating the multileveled matrices of reality and (iii) I can be somewhat off with the fairies while engaged in (i) and (ii). Otherwise, Clive Owen in 'Children Of Men', coz I always want to be the dapper dishevelled anti-hero.
Last show you binge-watched? 'StartUp' (Netflix), 'The Capture' (BBC), and 'Ozark' (Netflix) – the intrigue, suspense and intensity.
