Virginia native and upcoming singer songwriter Wes Parker has been on a journey. He was part of Camp Howard, a band near and dear to his heart. Then he decided to go solo, which was an adventure in itself. He branded himself as a video comic but eventually music fell back into his lap.
Parker’s music is influenced by the early 90s grunge scene, as he is a fan of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana but the music is what spoke to him—even as a millennial. His music is definitely inspired by the 90s alt scene where Weezer meets Nirvana.
As a true Southerner at heart, the Church also spoke to him as he became influenced by scripture. His first single “Pull Me Under” is a dark tune that illustrates the impact of the church and his Southern upbringing.
I talked to Parker about his solo career, growing up Grunge, and his upcoming new EP called Fantom.
How did you know you wanted to become a solo singer following your involvement with Camp Howard band? I read that you were afraid of going solo?
To be honest when I was in Camp Howard everything was run by my friend and musical colleague, Nico Play. He managed the band for so many years and when the band ended, I all I did know was to write music and didn’t know how to move forward with a solo career. I made comedy videos about the music scene. That was great therapy for me but it ended up being a harder transition back into music because of my brand with comedy.
What’s the songwriting process like for you now?
Finding time in between life to sit with a guitar and have a moment of freedom with emotion or feeling. Musicians are expected to be in touch with emotions and that is where the process starts. I think that it’s the initial minutes of the song where I can put in that emotion.
Your music is very grungy. Was Grunge an era of inspiration for you?
When I was in high school, I listened to Nirvana’s Live From The Muddy Banks of Wishkah. That record was so inspiring to me and hearing the crowd react to his songs and live recordings made me feel liberated.
What is the Richmond, Virginia scene like?
It’s all I really know. It has been a place for me to cultivate a type of freedom. I painted this grungy basement scene where anything goes. That is the most important thing to me. I still feel very connected to that DIY energy and there’s so much magic here.
Tell me about your new single “Pull Me Under”.
It is part of my upcoming concept EP Fantom. I wanted to write about the downfall about the lucifer. I was raised in a church, and it leaves an impact on you. It follows Lucifer, the fallen angel, across the EP from heaven to hell from track to track. The Lucifer character transfers off into other characters or being. It’s a thread of downfall of energy and having that feeling about from someone you love.
You credit Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” as a source of inspiration for it?
I did. I liked the structure of the song and the end of the song the key change drops and was inspired by it.
What were the tours like with Backseat Lovers and Stone Temple Pilots?
They were formative in the way that I learned a lot on how these high-octane large venues work. Stone Temple Pilots were incredibly inspirational to watch and very supportive of us. Backseat Lovers were incredible and that was a flip side to see a younger band evolve.
What’s next for you?
Fantom EP is dropping in October. We are trying to do some touring in the Fall. More videos are coming too.
