The last time Bandwagon had a chat with South Korean indie rock band wave to earth was back in November 2022, before they performed live at VERY Festival in Bangkok.
Fast forward to today, we’ve witnessed their musical career blast off at full steam.
Recognised for their comforting vocals and tender love songs that tug at your heartstrings, the Wavy record label signees are steadily growing into a force to be reckoned within the lo-fi and indie music scene.
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With a hefty schedule of upcoming tours in tow, they are soon to make their way across Asia and Europe for their The First Era Concert and flaws and all tours, as well as take their music to 88rising’s Head In The Clouds New York 2024.
Having lived through a decade of unwavering companionship, members Kim Daniel (lead singer and guitar), Shin Dong Kyu (drums), and John Cha (bass) intend on keeping the camaraderie tight and “making good music”.
Ahead of their shows in Asia, Bandwagon had a chat with Daniel, John, and Dong Kyu, about performing in Singapore for the first time, life on the road, tour essentials, and aspirations for the band.
Hi, Daniel, John, and Dong Kyu! How’s life been for you now that you’re gearing up for the First Era Concerts and the flaws and all tour in Asia and Europe?
John: Donkyu was kinda taking care of himself, Daniel is in the middle of the production of The Poles album, so he was quite [busy] making music all day and couldn’t get much sleep. For me, I’m also preparing the tour, and my single act, Potatoi. The album was released last week.
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Selling out a show in a new city speaks volumes about your growing fanbase. As this will be your first time performing in Singapore, what are your expectations for the concert? How do you plan to make this debut performance memorable for yourselves and the fans?
Daniel: Since it’s our first time performing in Singapore, we’re expecting to meet our fans in Singapore, so we are looking forward to meeting new fans out there.
John: We are doing a bunch of rehearsals for the tour and we already have the setlist, and we’re kinda repeating it day after day. Just like preparing our best to give [the fans] the biggest love in our performances.
While touring can be physically and emotionally demanding, how do you keep yourselves motivated and energised?
Daniel: Coffee.
John: We’re Koreans, so our standard would be iced Americano.
Daniel: Or iced filtered coffee.
What are some essential pre-show rituals that you follow before every show? Do you have a pre-show playlist?
Donkyu: Pray.
John: Yeah, we pray together, and make a chant before every show. We don’t listen to [any] playlists before the show, since we have to play maybe one to two hours straight [of music]. It’s just exhausting to listen to music.
Donkyu: I listen to nature.
You’ve come a long way from playing your first international gig at VERY Festival in Bangkok in 2022 (which we had the opportunity to witness!) to embarking on world tours, and being part of the Head In The Clouds Music Festival not long after that. Reflecting on your journey so far, what is the ultimate lesson you’ve learned about yourselves as a band?
Daniel: The power of music is strong.
Donkyu: Languages are different, but music makes us one.
John: For me, longevity and consistency of our relationship sums it all.
As each festival has its own unique vibe and audience, how do you adapt your performances to connect with the crowd?
All: Doing a sing-a-long part, kinda making the fans sing along together with our songs. It makes them [engaged]. We kinda force them at festivals like ‘Sing it!!’.
Out of all the festivals you’ve played at, which one stood out to you?
Daniel: The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2023. It was my first dream.
John and Donkyu: I remember my first concert in Indonesia. It was 2023 I think. It was our first concert right after releasing our flaws and all album. We didn’t do a show for maybe six months, and I found myself crying at the end of the festival on stage. So I remember that.
Finally, what are your hopes and aspirations for the band in the coming years?
Dongkyu: To maintain health with each other, and making good music for this year.
Daniel: Since we have lots of tours and lots of shows, we want to finish it safely and spend good times with wave to earth and friends.
John: I just want to stay the same as what I was in the past years. I don’t want to change my mindset with something. The results shouldn’t influence me. That’s my goal.
Check out wave to earth’s 0.1 flaws and all here.
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