Wallice Hana Watanabe,[2] known mononymously as Wallice, is an American singer-songwriter. She is based in Los Angeles, which is where she was born and raised.[3][4][5]

Wallice
Wallice performing in 2021
Background information
Birth nameWallice Hana Watanabe
Born (1998-04-03) April 3, 1998 (age 26)
Los Angeles, California
OriginTopanga, California[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2017–present
LabelsDirty Hit

Early life edit

Wallice was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. She is half Japanese, and named after Wallis Simpson.[6][7] She appeared in the Frasier Christmas special "We Two Kings" at age 4.[8] She attended The New School in New York City,[9] majoring in jazz performance and voice before dropping out to pursue music as a full-time career, which she references in her song "23".[10] She and her producer Marinelli had been friends before he became her producer.[11]

Career edit

Wallice released her first song "Nyc" in 2017,[12] followed by "Rx" on January 17, 2018;[13], before releasing her debut EP "Big Sugar" on September 13, 2018. The EP has since been delisted from all streaming platforms. She signed with Dirty Hit in 2021.[14] Wallice opened for Chloe Moriondo in 2021, and played at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles on December 7, 2021.[15] Watanabe recently played in the All Things Go Festival on October 1, 2022[16] and supported The 1975 on their Manila & Australian tour in April 2023.[17]

Her song "Punching Bag" was included in Spotify's "Lorem" playlist.[18] The "Lorem" playlist has more than 900,000 followers, which helped the song reach a wide audience on the Spotify platform. Being included in the playlist contributed to the widespread attention that the song eventually received. "Punching Bag" received 4 million streams increasing Wallice's popularity.[19] Aside from being on Spotify's playlist, Wallice was also selected to be part of the Spotify Fresh Finds marketing program. The program aims to provide a small cohort of indie musicians with additional support and tips for gaining further success. Spotify suggests that this new program is a continuation of their previous efforts of supporting upcoming indie artists with the Fresh Finds playlist. As part of the program, Wallice collaborated with David Marinelli and Ariel Rechtshaid to create "Nothing Scares Me", released exclusively to Spotify June 23, 2021.[20][21][22] The recording of the song "Punching Bag" took place in Marinelli's bedroom.[18]

Artistry edit

Wallice cites Weezer and MGMT as her two biggest influences.[23]

Discography edit

EPs edit

  • Off the Rails'(2021)
  • 90s American Superstar (2022)
  • Mr. Big Shot (2023)

Singles edit

  • Punching Bag (2020)
  • Hey Michael (2021)
  • Off the Rails (2021)
  • Wisdom Tooth (2021)
  • Little League (2022)
  • Funeral (2022)
  • 90s American Superstar (2022)
  • Japan (2022)
  • Best Friend (2023)
  • Loser at Best (2023)
  • disappear (2023)

Tour edit

Opening edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Jazz School Dropout Turned Rising Indie-Rock Sensation Wallice Headlines First LA Show". New University. January 28, 2022.
  2. ^ Connors, Madeleine (December 25, 2021). "Wallice, an Indie Pop Sensation from Los Angeles". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Rindner, Grant (April 19, 2021). "Wallice Talks New Music, Dropping Out of Jazz School, and Music VIdeos". Nylon.
  4. ^ Williams, Sophie (April 27, 2022). "Wallice: future alt-pop hero with dark wit and cinematic ambition". NME.
  5. ^ Whatley, Jack (June 29, 2022). "Oscar Lang and Wallice sparkle on 'I've Never Been to L.A.'". Far Out Magazine.
  6. ^ "Introducing LA Indie Pop-Rock Artist Wallice". scenestr – Pop Culture & Entertainment. April 14, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Connors, Madeleine (December 25, 2021). "Wallice, an Indie Pop Sensation from Los Angeles". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "We Two Kings". IMDB. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  9. ^ "Jawny, Wallice At Black Cat Tickets | Washington, DC | Black Cat". Etix. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Wallice – 23, retrieved September 30, 2022
  11. ^ Rindner, Grant (April 19, 2021). "Wallice Talks New Music, Dropping Out of Jazz School, and Music VIdeos". Nylon. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Nyc, April 8, 2017, retrieved October 4, 2022
  13. ^ Rx, January 19, 2018, retrieved October 4, 2022
  14. ^ Lavin, Will (November 19, 2021). "Listen to Dirty Hit's latest signing Wallice come of age on new single 'Wisdom Tooth'". NME. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  15. ^ "Wallice". JamBase. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  16. ^ "All Things Go Music Festival". All Things Go Music Festival. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  17. ^ Gallagher, Alex (March 6, 2023). "The 1975 Announce Wallice as Support Act for Australian Tour". Music Feeds. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Wallice reveals debut single 'Punching Bag,'". Emerging Music. November 3, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  19. ^ "Three Platforms of Value for Independent Artists". AMT Lab @ CMU. June 7, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  20. ^ "Indie Artists Amplify Their Music Through Spotify's Fresh Finds Program". Complex. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  21. ^ Hissong, Samantha (May 26, 2021). "Spotify Is Making a Pledge to Mentor and Market Indie Artists". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  22. ^ "Wallice Drops New Single "Nothing Scares Me"". GHETTOBLASTER. June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Wallice – 23 | Bedroom Pop by SHWHY + Interview, retrieved September 23, 2022