BeatRoute Magazine ON Edition - February 2020

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ARTIST INTERVIEW MUSiCTHE EVOLUTIONOF OH WONDERBy NATALIE HARMSENOn a rainy day in mid-November, Oh Wonder is fullof energy.Winding our way through amaze of colourful walls in theFunhouse, an experimental,interactive series of art installations indowntown Toronto, the dreary weatherhasn’t affected the spirits of the Londonbasedindie-pop duo consisting ofAnthony West and Josephine VanderGucht, who West tenderly calls “Josie.”They smile and laugh a lot; both ofthem are warm and bubbly. Positivityseems to radiate off of them, whichis fitting considering it’s one of themain themes on No One Else Can WearYour Crown. The upbeat album takesits name from the opening lyric of therecord: “When people try to get youdown, remember, I'm here for you.No one else can wear your crown. It'syours, just yours.”Simply put, the crowns symbolize selfempowerment.“[It’s] a craving just tobe in charge of yourself,” Vander Guchtexplains. “To respect your own voice,and use your own voice, and be entirelywho you want to be.”This sentiment shines on the album’seuphoric lead single “Hallelujah” whichdepicts a crown as a metaphor for beingin control: “Cause there's a crown,covered in glitter and gold, I'm gonnawear it, whether you like it or not.” Thepulsating track shimmers with hope,bouncing along with a triumphant melody.The formation of Oh Wonder has beena slow burn, as West and Vander Guchtmet back in 2010. The world didn’tdiscover them until 2014 when theyrecorded and released one song permonth for a year on Soundcloud—whicheventually became their self-titled debutalbum. Their online popularity soared asthe songs received thousands of listensand their cloud of anonymity dissipated.Their fanbase blossomed, all withouta single concert. They didn’t play theirfirst live show together until 2015, theyear their debut album dropped.Two years later in 2017, rapper Lil UziVert sampled their ethereal, snap-heavysong “Landslide” on his track “The WayLife Goes” which became a hit—amassingover 80 million views on Youtube, andgoing 4x platinum in the U.S.As their star has risen, they’ve hadeach other to lean on. Their relationshiphas evolved from songwriting buddies,to friends, to bandmates and now, toromantic partners. Though they’vespent years avoiding confirming if theywere together, now their not-so-secretsecret is out.“You have to constantly be aware ofthe person. Your actions always affectthe other person. So whatever you cando to make it easier for each other,”West says.“Hundred percent,” Vander Guchtagrees. “I almost now feel like we're aunit. That sounds really intense, but Ithink it's the only way I can deal withit —is to not see you as a differentperson,” she says looking at him.In 2017, they toured nonstop forthree months. This year when theyembark on a world tour, they are firmabout planning breaks on the road. Partof it has to do with creating a healthybalance, but also because last year thecouple became a family of three—withthe addition of their dog, Margot.“I think one of the main reasons thatwe got a dog was because having thatresponsibility encourages a little bitmore self-care in a quite selfish way,because you can't be away for sixweeks on a tour,” Vander Guchtexplains. “You spend the whole tourbeing so introspective and it's allabout you and your show, having tolook after someone else is so goodfor us,” she continues.Without this sense of reflectionand self-love, No One Else CanWear Your Crown wouldn’t bethe collection of uplifting songsthat it is. Many of them carry afeeling of stepping into sunshineand embracing everything theworld has to offer; there’s an airof effortless elation. In a way,the new album is their way ofembracing the future while alsoremembering their roots. STARFEBRUARY 2020 BEATROUTE 19
Page 1 and 2: Green DayDestroyerRalphOdario& More
Page 3 and 4: ContentsMusic4n UP FRONTCanadian mu
Page 5 and 6: SHOES ASUNIQUE AS AQUIET VEGAN(THES
Page 7 and 8: By LUKE OTTENHOFclear, scathing, an
Page 9 and 10: ANGELA RICCIARDITOTALLY LITHoodie-c
Page 11 and 12: FELICE TRINIDADTHE BEACHESARE PAVIN
Page 13 and 14: ARTIST INTERVIEW MUSiCTHE WORLDBy J
Page 15 and 16: Photography byNABEEL PERVAIZFEBRUAR
Page 17: Dan Bejar steps out of the raininto
Page 21 and 22: THE UNASSAILABLE EMPATHYOF KEVIN PA
Page 23 and 24: The PlaylistBEATROUTERIGHTBEATROUTE
Page 25 and 26: ReviewsALBUMGRIMESMiss Anthropocene
Page 27 and 28: DRIVE-BYTRUCKERSThe UnravelingATO R
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Page 31 and 32: EATS & DRINKSHotel CondesaAvenida V
Page 33: Screen TimeA CLOSER LOOK AT THE2020
Page 36 and 37: 02.20YYZAGENDAHECTOR VASQUEZNATIVE
Page 38 and 39: 02.20YYZMUSICThe Cheat Sheet BR PIC

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