They say it takes a village to raise a child, in the case of Oh Wonder it took a musically talented uncle, a determined friend and over 13 million Spotify views to surface in the public eye.
“He really pushed me and encouraged me to go into it,” one half of the London duo, Josephine Vander Gucht, says of her university friend’s influence.
“It just shows the importance of having something in life to give you that positivity to do it. Even the most confident of people need that little external push or belief to go and do it.”
For Anthony West being exposed to his blues grass musician uncle who was constantly writing, creating and playing music helped him realise his own love for music.
Ultimately, the real step for Oh Wonder came in allowing those first few sets of ears to listen to what they were creating as a duo.
“Don’t be scared to show someone your music because it won’t get you anywhere unless you do,” Anthony says.
Embracing each other as a unit was another massive step for the two musicians, and it was seemingly the best decision they’ve made in their career.
Musically they harmonise in each track, their vocals wrapping around each other’s in the perfect manner. In conversation the effect is quite similar and it will be rare to get an interview of one without the other, a conscious decision of the band.
“It’s just that thing of happiness is definitely better when shared,” Anthony shares.
“We meet all these incredible people and play to massive crowds but it wouldn’t be the same if we weren’t equals doing it. We are totally equal.”
Though all the joy isn’t without challenges, and the band reflect in the conversation on the lingering want for success. “We’ve had a little bit of success with our music and we want a little bit more, we can see how it’s helping people and we want to keep doing that,” Josephine says honestly.
“The day to day is very freeing but we feel an overarching sense of responsibility. It’s a nice weight to bear.
“Being a musician in general you have an obligation to promote goodness. It’s the right platform and atmosphere because you’re having a conversation with so many people at once.”
Whether intentional or not, the band effortlessly promotes goodness with each and every track they release, albeit even when released once a month for months in a row.
Written by Amanda Sherring
When & Where: Corner Hotel, Melbourne – January 5