KATIE BROWN - 3 NOV 2021

Something of a force to be reckoned with in the local music scene, understated Auckland act Wells* (aka Josh Naley) has certainly not been idle of late. Releasing wry alt-pop gem “Quitter” just two weeks ago chased with the release of co-produced and co-written single “Somebody New” by up-and-coming Aotearoa artist Luca George last Friday, he also has plans to round off his Tapes project over the next months with a new mixtape. The Tapes series are a trio of releases featuring three singles each, and through them Josh has been steadily staking a pretty unshakeable claim on Aotearoa’s alt/indie-pop territory with his unique brand of honest and relatable songwriting.

“Quitter”, a track that is a ‘representation of post-relationship woes’, deals with the fallout of an ended relationship months down the track. Irresistibly catchy in its oh-I-know-this-feeling candour (whichever side of the ‘quitter’ fence you’re on!), it was co-written by Thomas Stoneman (Thomston), with Struan Finlay stepping on board as co-producer and Lontalius’s Eddie Johnston adding the final mixing touches. Talking about its meaning, Josh says “I think ‘not being a quitter’ is usually endearing but in this case I’m using it to convey frustration, which is what I find interesting about the concept.”

Equally strong on production duties for other artists as within his own project, Josh has collaborated with a myriad of Aotearoa familiars such as Paige and Foley, alongside his work with Luca George. Also contributing as a session and live musician to the likes of Paige and Robinson, he’s making himself pretty indispensable in whatever he turns his hand to, all the while being quietly persistent with his own artistry in order to grow and evolve as a strong and established act in his own right.

We caught up with him for a quick chat about “Quitter”, and he has also curated a Spotify playlist of inspirations around the track for us (lucky, lucky).

Read more below.

Find Wells* on Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube

KATIE: ‘QUITTER’ IS A BANGER OF A TRACK – I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT SITUATION FEELS LIKE TO SOME EXTENT! HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT REALLY IS TIME TO QUIT?

Josh: Thanks so much! Well in terms of a relationship it’s a little complex because those decisions affect other people but all you can do is take as many steps as you can towards being happy. Sometimes that’s entering relationships, sometimes that’s ending them.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT WRITING THE TRACK IN COLLABORATION WITH THOMSTON? WHEN COLLABORATING, DO YOU FIND IT EASIEST TO MEET UP TOGETHER OR TO START A BIG FILE-SHARING VIRTUAL CONVERSATION INSTEAD?

Well I’ve known Tom for years and I sent him the song in its demo form last year and he mentioned there were some obvious changes he could suggest to improve the chorus. When he came to New Zealand back in March we were hanging out in my studio one night and on a whim just decided to rework it to what it is today. I definitely find it easier doing things in person although I’ve had some recent success doing things online by putting less pressure on being productive.

HOW DO YOU HOLD PRODUCING FOR OTHER ARTISTS ALONGSIDE WORKING ON YOUR OWN MUSIC IN BALANCE? DO THE TWO FLOW INTO EACH OTHER?

I generally put other artists before my own project, which is super fun but hard when I have so many ambitions as an artist. Usually I’ll spend my days on other artists and my evenings become about passion projects/my own music. It gets busy but I like it that way.

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO BECOME INTERESTED IN PRODUCTION, AS WELL AS SONGWRITING?

When I studied music at the university of Auckland there was a production class I had to take but it was more about engineering than it was “producing”. I didn’t really listen much and just sat on my headphones trying to replicate other music. It wasn’t until after I finished uni that I realised I could actually produce songs for myself and it wasn’t until I released my first single that I started producing for other people.

WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST ABOUT IT?

Production is most exciting when you make a song or a sound in this tiny shoebox of a room and it sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard before and no one else has a clue that you’re on to something.

IN TERMS OF YOUR OWN MUSIC, DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE YOUR OWN ‘SOUND’? HAS IT EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

That’s a hard question. I think there are certain things that sound like a “wells*” song, and I’ve been told I have a sound, but I’m a bit all over the place and everything feels so gradual so I find it hard to say that in confidence. I like being adaptable but I constantly think about what I can do that is unique in everything I make.

LOOKING BACK, WHAT MUSICAL CHILDHOOD MEMORIES HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU IN SENDING YOU DOWN THIS PARTICULAR PATH YOU’VE TAKEN?

I’m not sure there is any one moment that made me want to be a musician. But I’ve always loved it and never considered it a plausible career until after I had finished high school. I did beatbox while my dad and his brother sang steal my kisses at my uncles wedding one time though.

IF YOU COULD WORK ALONGSIDE ANY MUSICIAN OR ACT IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD THAT BE?

Too many to name! I have so many heroes, however, my goal for the next project is to work with all of my friends, even the non-musical ones, so I can credit them all in the album notes.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM 2022’S ‘DEWY DIVERGED BEGINNINGS’?

An album made by me and all my friends :)

Playlist by Wells* for The May Magazine

A playlist of “Quitter” inspirations curated by Wells*