Adam Wedd Explains ‘Who We Are’
There are times when we find ourselves getting to know new people at different points of our lives. Adam Wedd was one of the first musicians I got to know, initially through work, after I moved to London.
Looking at the six years years or so since then, I’ve been amazed and totally impressed with how much his songwriting, musicianship and performance has grown.
Despite being stuck in the middle of a pandemic, Adam decided to release two new singles ‘Who We Are’ and ‘Madman’. It’s time I introduced you all to this talented Englishman.
Hello Adam Wedd, where are you and how the hell are you?
Hey, I’m writing this from the Chiswick based studio I work at, I’ve got a little bit of cabin fever, but generally I’m ok! Thanks for asking!
If Smash Hits were to describe you in a paragraph, what would it be?
My comedian friend Pete Bazely calls me the following… An old Bob Dylan / a Young Ed Sheeran. or the illegitimate love child of Gordon Ramsey makes Pop Folk storytelling music.
Most people decide to release one single at a time. You’ve released two. Madman and Who We Are. What was the reasoning behind that?
Well, the main reason was because I was meant to be playing live shows in Europe and the USA which all got cancelled . This twinned with the fact I have so many unreleased tunes I’m sitting on, we thought we may as we try and connect with people digitally via streaming and also give people some new songs to enjoy alongside all the classics during lockdown.
The other reason is that the 2 songs we released are so incredibly different from each other. One is a pop reggae indie tune about how all of humanity , despite our differences actually need each other and Madman is a grime, trap pop tune that tells of an jealous ex lover trying to win back your new partner – like I said – they’re a little different sounding! ha!
You’ve been working with Blacksmith on these, it’s a much different style to your music from a couple of years ago. It was much more singer songwriter style. How did the evolution come around?
I’ve always loved collaborating with people from all genres, it’s usually for fun and behind closed doors but Blacksmith and I worked together or writing a few songs for pitches for record labels whilst we were in Sweden and we hit it off then , so for the last year we thought, why not – let’s put something out together! It’s been a combination of Tileyard & Metropolis studios, I was writing on the road the whole time I was on my USA tour and also Blacksmiths home studio set up.
I’ve seen some of your live shows and ‘Who We Are’ always seems to be a huge collaboration with other musicians and vocalists and a fantastic party tune. Is collaboration part of you as a musician and artist?
Humanity done well is collaboration right? So I feel it’s the same with most songs. Not all songs. But most. I know that as a person I have so many blind spots, so I always love finding people who are better than me and working with them.
You did a Masters in Tileyard in songwriting last year. How much has that changed how you approach your work?
It completed turned my working style upside down. I’ve always enjoyed being a writer and seen music in an airy fairy romantic sort of way. Writing and working with people at Tileyard completely challenged my work ethos and writing method. I got the chance to work with so many great people. As a musician, so often you are working on your own – the great thing about rare places like Tileyard are that it’s ultimately a community. We all work better together.
What’s more of a long term goal for you – writing and performing your songs yourself or potentially having other people record your music?
I’ve done lots of writing for others, I’m really proud of a song called ‘Karma’ by We Architects feat Tana, check it out on the YouTube or Spotify, I’m proud to have been involved in writing that one.
Writing songs for myself or with other people , it’s all trying to tell a story and make sense of all our life experiences. Long term goal for me is I’d LOVE to put out an album of my songs and I’ve got a few other cheeky goals up my sleeve too 😛
You’ve been pretty prolific releasing singles over the past year or so. Is this leading to an album or a collection of sorts?
Hopefully there should be an EP at some point. I’ll put out an album someday, its such a big statement, y’know? and it’s expensive too! ha I’m just focussing on making enough money to buy bread and milk right now 🙂
You’ve been releasing music for a few years now. What advice would you give your younger self?
Always keep writing, work with as many writers as possible, it helps you hone your on style and craft. Also , that the best songs come from life, not from chasing chart hits! ha! That I believe one will eventually follow the other. We all look for genuine authenticity , I think it’s the same with hit songs and records.
The Covid-19 pandemic has obviously changed a lot of things for musicians and artists, what new routines have you embraced?
I try and run everyday, I’ve been working a bit , so been good to do that and run to the studio and back. Sometimes I stop to smell flowers. Yoga is something I try and do ( Youtube with Adrienne) keeps me flexible and zen.
We’ve been gardening in our house which has been super fun and super creative ‘cos we don’t have a garden! So we’ve made our roof into something from Day of the Triffids! Also great for the soul! Been making soup. Been watching far too much Netflix and oh yeh, writing songs most days and working out which songs should go to who and if I’m keeping them on which ep 🙂
After lockdown, what venue are you looking forward to playing?
Shepherds Bush Empire / Wembley Stadium. In that order, probably with a 1000 shows in between.
You’re based in London, tell us about three new London artists that we should embrace?
Tom Speight , Tom Bright , Maki Flow . They are all amazing!
Tell us a secret?
I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours? Ok, I’ve recently starting thinking my house mate is super cute (oops, I’ve said too much ?)
What skills have you picked up during the lockdown?
We’ve been gardening in our house which has been super fun and super creative ‘cos we don’t have a garden! So we’ve made our roof into something from Day of the Triffids! Also great for the soul! Been making soup. Been watching far too much Netflix and oh yeh, writing songs most days and working out which songs should go to who and if I’m keeping them on which ep 🙂
Send us a pic?
Find Adam Wedd Online
You can find Adam on Facebook, Twitter and Insta. You can stream his music on Spotify.