Next Wave #690: WSTRN

Creating vibes, to make music, to create vibes to...

WSTRN don’t have a masterplan – it just happens. Three musicians – Haile Rei, Louis Rei and Akelle Charles – from West London, the trio decided to get in the studio one night and see what they could come up with. What they came up with was ‘In2’, one of last winter’s most unavoidable hits; it’s about as close to that London feeling as you can get without tube strikes and grey weather.

“We actually didn’t go to the studio to make the song,” laughs Louis. “We actually just went there to chill out – have a couple of drinks with some friends, and vibe out. ‘In2’ was the result of that. And it’s been a whirlwind ever since.”

A group that was never meant to form, a song that was never meant to be written; WSTRN take life as it comes, refusing to be pinned down personally, or artistically. “We’re just taking every day as it comes,” says Akelle. “We never like to plan. We feel like when we’re planning things it just feels like work, and when it feels like work… it never works.”

The trio have a friendly competitiveness, with WSTRN pushing one another to new heights. When a hook is laid down, it’s a race to see who can come up with a killer verse, nail another incredible chorus. “It’s never really been a problem making music with us,” admits Haile. “It’s always just flowed. And especially now. With all of these new things happening every day, it’s like an additional piece of inspiration. It’s making us go even harder now. Every day something new happens, and we want to keep reliving that feeling. So we just keep pushing.”

WSTRN aren’t about to hold back – matching a frenetic studio schedule with dates across Europe and beyond, the trio’s success is matched by the succinctness of their approach. “It’s a brand, to us,” says Akelle. “It’s not a boy band, or that kind of vibe, it’s a brand. It’s who we are and what we represent.”

Haile smiles, and adds: “All we’ve needed this whole time is each other.” Creating vibes, to make music, to create vibes to.

WHERE: West London
WHAT: Hook-heavy R&B with a UK slant
GET 3 SONGS: ‘In2’, ‘Got Love’, ‘Best Friend’

FACT: Haile hasn’t had a hair cut since he was four-years- old.

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Words: Robin Murray
Photography: Samuel Bradley
Styling: Justin Hamilton

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