Today we’d like to introduce you to Wake The Wild. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Wake The Wild is made up of vocalist/keyboardist Zach Sorgen, Drummer Forrest Mitchell & guitarist/bassist/multi-instrumentalist Chase Jackson. Growing up in the melting pot of the SF Bay Area, the three musicians started playing music together in middle school and instantly connected over their shared love of funk, jazz, R&B, pop and world music. They worked as a band throughout high school and college then reconvened in Los Angeles to launch their individual careers as professional musicians and to take their project to the next level. After nearly 20 years of friendship and music-making, the trio embodies a fun-loving, positive & inclusive energy and has racked up millions of streams on their original music. Melding the intoxicating grooves and timbres of funk and electronic music with unforgettable pop & R&B melodic sensibilities, Wake The Wild has emerged with a signature sound of its own that exudes good vibes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting out, we were already pretty solid instrumentalists and could play together live, but it took some time and effort to learn how to produce on the computer. Lots of trial and error, YouTube videos, and upgrading gear over the years to get better quality audio. During this period, we also experimented with a few different genres and wrote some songs that will never see the light of day. The culture is constantly evolving and so are our musical tastes with it, so it took a while to find our niche and what we were really vibing with sonically.
Once we got that piece locked in, it’s been pretty smooth sailing to be honest. We’re lucky to have known each other for a long time so there’s a friendship and a trust there that transcends even the work we do together. We can roast each other and laugh at ourselves in the studio, allowing for the best song to shine through the writing process without egos stepping in the way.
The tricky thing now for us is social media. The energy at the live show is addicting. Last year we toured with PREP from the UK, played a bunch at Winston House in Venice, and made some real fans! Playlisting and streaming is on the rise! But industry heads always ask about our Tik Tok numbers so we know we gotta put the effort in on these short-form videos.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Since we all come from a jazz performance-based background, the live show is something that we’ve always featured. We absolutely love sharing the stage, interacting with each other, and just overall having a good time. From the minute the downbeat hits, the crowd is dancing until the end. It’s always a party! Chase’s wild double-neck guitar/bass and mallet station synthesizer are definitely rare attributes. We also all listen to a diverse selection of genres and styles, always taking influence from everything from hip hop, pop, r&b, funk, electronic, house, and jazz. Being friends since middle school as well, we’ve essentially grown up together playing music. That translates into everything we do. There’s a sort of cohesiveness in the fusion of styles that produces a sound that is signature Wake the Wild. Funky beats, lush synths, catchy melodies, and rhythmic guitars can often be heard in our tracks.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Our journey has not been a straight one by any stretch of the imagination! We originally had a very different musical sound and sonic palate, but it took taking a step back to reflect on the music we most enjoyed listening to, playing and making to hone our sound into what it is today. This also required that we learn how to self-produce, record, mix our music rather than relying on others to realize our sonic identity. Some people suggest we follow trends of what’s popular in styles and techniques, but staying authentic to what we love musical has been our greatest compass. Though it’s taken a while to lock in, trusting our own skill set and committing the years of musical experience under our belt continues to be the most important asset as we craft new songs and forge ahead.
Pricing:
- Limited Run Vinyls for “Guilty Pleasures” Album – $40
- Limited Run T Shirts – $28
- Limited Run T Shirts – $28
Contact Info:
- Website: wakethewild.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakethewild/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wakethewild/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wakethewild
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/wakethewild
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wakethewild
Image Credits
Studio Shots: Lizzie Claire Moon: https://www.instagram.com/lizzieclairemoon/ Live Shots: Matthew Simpson: https://www.instagram.com/msimp10/
