How Wolf Alice’s Chemistry Fuels Their Success as a Band

The duo, who solidify the rhythm section of the band, believe that their connection, both on and off stage, reflects the overall spirit that unites the entire group.

Wolf Alice has gained recognition for their unique mixture of grunge, folk, and pop, which has attracted a devoted international fan base.

Ellis expressed, “We don’t consciously work on it. Our appreciation for what we do grounds us, and we recognize how fortunate we are. If the chemistry took a hit, that would likely mean the end of our journey together.”

Amey agreed, mentioning that discussions about their chemistry only arose recently. “It feels natural to us—we simply make music and perform. We don’t have a ‘band therapist’ like some others do. Over time, our approach keeps changing,” he noted.

Evolution and New Sounds

Formed in London in 2010, Wolf Alice includes members Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie as well. They first gained traction with their debut album, ‘My Love Is Cool’, in 2015, which showcased their ability to fluidly switch between genres, from energetic anthems like “Bros” to haunting ballads like “Silk.”

The band continues to release highly praised albums, such as ‘Visions of a Life’ and ‘Blue Weekend’, both of which garnered a Mercury Prize and a loyal fan following. Their latest work, “The Clearing,” marks their fourth studio album, released in August.

This album, produced by Grammy award winner Greg Kurstin, was crafted in North London’s Seven Sisters before being recorded in Los Angeles. It’s described as “a classic pop/rock album” that pays homage to the 1970s while being firmly rooted in modern sounds.

Amey describes “The Clearing” as their most experimental album yet. He added, “While it may not seem radical to everyone, for us it involved writing in unfamiliar ways. We challenged ourselves: here’s an acoustic guitar—does the song hold up? That was the experiment we undertook.”

Ellis finds the initial creative phase—deciding on the nature of their next steps—the most thrilling. “We all write our own songs individually, then come together to share. It’s enjoyable. With this album, we noticed we were responding to earlier tracks and emphasized melodies, chords, and harmonies instead of relying on technology to fill up the sound.”

He further added that stepping out of their comfort zone is always a challenge. “It’s easy to go for the quick fix—throw in a lot of elements—but we truly listened to our intuition about what we wanted the record to embody.”

Reflecting on the Journey

The band is currently touring in North America, with performances scheduled until October 13. As they move from city to city, they’re taking time to appreciate the unique moments that the tour presents.

Amey reflected on the experience: “The tour has already had its ups and downs… Playing with friends is always rewarding, but when the crowd and band connect, it’s a magical experience. I felt that recently in Philadelphia.”

Wolf Alice has also made their mark in India, debuting at the ‘Backdoors’ music festival in Mumbai and Bengaluru back in February 2018. The band members express an eagerness to return, with Ellis noting, “It was truly wonderful for music to bring us to such a vibrant place. We’d love to make it work in our touring plans.”

Amey added, “I would love to collaborate as well. I recently saw that the new Gorillaz album involved Indian musicians, and I’m eager to see how that unfolds. Being there and experiencing the beautiful music culture is something I look forward to.”