Wax Wallaby is one to watch. The British-born, now Sydney-raised musician James Kerr created the Wax Wallaby project through an exploration of freedom in sound and to channel the joy he felt playing live. The name Wax Wallaby comes from a song titled ‘Wax Wallaby’: “I was just looking through some old playlists of songs I’d made when I found this. I pressed play and the heaviest song I’d ever made flew out of the speakers," he says. "I jumped out of my skin! The name is fun to say so I went with it for the project. And that song kind of defines the purpose of the project which is making music that makes the listener go what is this?” His music floats between atmospheric, ultra chill and very Australian-suited new single Hairpinned, to the make-you-move upbeat Moisturiser. We love it all. We spoke to the artist about crafting his sound, inspiration and what's next:

Tell us about the Wax Wallaby project and what your intention is with the music you’re making? How would you describe your music?

This project is Art Rock meets Electric Experimentalism. My intention is to make music that feels like it has a life of its own—unpredictable, a bit strange. It’s about following where my ideas take me. The buzz for me is never knowing what kind of world will crawl out of my mind when I sit down to record. The music could be described as a kaleidoscope of dreamy indie textures, pulsating beats, and trippy, otherworldly atmospheres. When I make the music it feels like I step into vivid, shape-shifting soundscapes where the familiarity melts into strangeness. With the odd conventional sound sayin hello.

Take us back to the beginning: what inspired you to pick up an instrument and start singing?

I started playing guitar when I was around 14. I needed another skill for my Duke of Edinburgh (a scheme everyone does in England to development skills and gain work experience) so I started guitar. My old man loved Johnny Cash and would always sing Walk the Line when I was kid whilst shaving. Always wanted to play that so I kinda learnt that riff and then went from there. Singing came later. I sang Octopuses Garden whilst playing drums for a 50th Abbey Road Anniversary gig I played in at Uni. Concentration face is the main memory of those 3 minutes, never had sang and played drums at the same time before so the last drum fill and crash lead to a heavy sigh of relief. Same birthday as Ringo Starr btw, going on the grave stone. It gave me loads of confidence so I didn’t see singing as a wall anymore. Started writing after that gig really.

Which artists do you count as north stars?

I’d say The Beatles, Talking Heads, J.Cole, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, just got well into Jungle. The Metres and love Mazzy Star right now too.

Do you think your upbringing in the UK and the music scene later in England has influenced or shaped your sound?

Yes for sure, I’m from The Wirral which is really close to Liverpool so I was always aware that music played a big part in people lives by just speaking to scousers. The biggest thing i took from the music scene in Liverpool was to not be afraid to make music that you might not necessarily know much about. And the belief that trying to make a certain thing might turn out to become something completely unexpected.

You’ve recently moved to Sydney. Have you noticed the music you’re making changing or evolving in sound since being here? We love the new music!

So I’ve been here on holiday twice already because my sister lives here and everytime I’ve come I start to make more dancy music. Also making other types of tunes as well but the sun just makes more crank up the bpm click. And thank you! I made the two songs I am releasing just before I left England. There’s defo a nostalgic feeling to one of the songs with the other fitting into this dance energy I get when coming to Sydney.

Which Australian artists do you gravitate to?

Love Nick Cave, saw him in London and it was the best show I’ve seen. Crowded House, too.

Dream collaboration? Who would you love to work with?

I love a guy called David Holmes, he’s in the band Unloved. Proper cool producer. And Paul McCartney is the man! So Paul is the always the dream.

Bucket list goals as an artist? Perhaps a venue you’d love to play at, a festival etc...

Been getting into Stanley Kubrick recently so having my music in a film that has innovative cinematography and dark humour would be on the bucket list. Venue wise, I mean being here in Sydney and seeing the Opera House gives me a drive to one day play there. That would be mad!

What’s something you’re passionate about that isn’t music-related?

Sport has always been my other thing. My dad played for Bristol City and Tranmere Rovers in the 80s so I was always kicking a ball. Also film is a new interest of mine. I watched Barry Lyndon recently and it just blew my head off. Having most scenes visually inspired by 18th century paintings is a such sick idea! Watch it.

What's next?

I’m releasing two singles back to back. The first comes out February 27th which is titled MOISTURISER. The second comes out a week later on March 6th which is called Hairpinned. MOISTURISER is high energy. It’s about living in your head but then getting out of your head but then hibernating back into your head lol. That whole thing about thinking “ah haaa I’m present”, but then you’re not coz you’re thinking “ah haaa I’m present”. Weird one. Inspired by my own experience but wrote the words about Mike Tyson believe it or not. Luciano is Mike. Will make sense when you listen. Hairpinned is a rainy little tune. But happy rain, if there is such a thing. ‘Rainy’ is also a character that a dude is in love with. “She’s got the wind in her hair Hairpinned” is a line from the tune which gave me the title. Before he met her he was just getting by but now he’s all la de da da doo. Also gunna be playing some shows very soon here in Australia so keep an eye out for dates!

Listen to Wax Wallaby HERE.

@wax_wallaby