Mister Big Shot
Astrophe was lucky enough to spend a little time with Wallice while on tour supporting The 1975. She has truely stolen our teenage hearts with her most recent EP Mister Big Shot, full of tongue-in-cheek anthems. We spoke about her love of No Doubt, Ceramics and Nabe hot pot. You can read more below and stream Mister Big Shot here.
Outside of your art form, where do you find inspiration?
Besides music I love spending my time making ceramics. I am influenced by my friends, nature, and silly little objects around me.
Where do you think you get your personal power from?
I am so lucky to have grown up with a mom who was a “you can be anything you want to” and just nurtured my artistic side since I was a baby. I always grew up with art surrounding me and because my mom has always been such a believer in me I really believed in myself.
What is your favorite space?
I really love my bed. Since I’ve been on tour most of this year, I’ve come to appreciate doing absolutely nothing and laying in bed with my dog.
Is there something you learnt early in your career that you have now disproven?
I think everyone is striving for a viral hit these days, but at the end of the day you want a long-standing audience to grow with, rather than a flash in the pan success which can easily lead to being forgotten.
Within your immediate circle of friends and family or chosen family who is your hero and why?
My mom has always been my hero. She raised me as a single mother and has always been so strong and independent and taught me to be independent.
How much of a role do other musicians play in your work?
I think all music can have direct ties drawn to their influences. Mine is clearly influenced by Radiohead and No Doubt and other 90s Alternative rock bands as well as more modern pop influences mixed in! The trick is taking these influences and making it something unique rather than derivative which I hope I am doing.
Is there a specific sonic theme, genre or instrument that you draw pure joy from?
Cello is basically the first instrument that I learned to play really well and grew up playing it, so I still love the sound of it. In quite a few of my songs you can hear my cello playing and I love the layer and feel it adds to a song.
How does visual aesthetic come to play in your work?
I take my visuals very seriously, I feel like they are just as important to the music. I usually come up with the concept of theme as I start to write the song. I love being a part of making the visuals for the song whether it be styling, story, or a Pinterest board to inform what the music video or photo shoot will be.
What are the core values behind your art?
I always try to be authentic which leads to being relatable. I think you can’t try to be relatable or it won’t be genuine. I also am a huge believer in not taking myself too seriously and having fun.
What would be your ultimate song to cover?
That is always the question. I used to always incorporate a different cover into each different tour I did and am asking myself that same question currently on the road. I do find myself always coming back to Just a Girl by No Doubt, but Heart Shaped Box has a special place in my heart from my first tour.
RAPID Q&A
Who is on your dream collaboration list?
joji, Mitski, Japanese breakfast, Tyler the creator
Are there any creatives you'd like to platform right now?
This band nitefire is opening for me on tour and they are so fun to watch every night and just the sweetest boys. I also love the ceramic artwork of Catalina Cheng.
If you could grant a wish for someone, who and what would it be?
Whoever has the most succinct way of wishing for a perfect world (no pollution, starving, war, etc).
What are you holding whilst posing for an oil painting?
A cello and next to my dog ‘Baby’.
What is your spirit animal?
Pig
Funeral song(s)?
funeral by Wallice hehehe (but also anything from in rainbows album by Radiohead)
What do you own that you should throw out, but can’t?
This Hawaii T Shirt that I love wearing to sleep. It has massive holes in the art pits and will be shreds soon but it’s just so comfortable I cannot throw it away.
People are coming over to dinner, what are you serving?
I love cooking. Probably a Nabe hot pot. So it’s thin slices of beef and cabbage layered in a dashi soup and you dip it into ponzu sauce with cilantro and green onions with a side of rice and then I’ll make a dessert, probably matcha brown butter chocolate chip cookies or some carrot cake.
If you could time travel, who are you visiting?
I want to see my moms life in the 80s living in Japan. It sounds so cool and fun.
You have a free plane ticket, where are you going?
I want to go to Positano Italy
Who are you taking on a date, and where are you going? (time travel is allowed)
I’ll take my boyfriend on a date and we will go to japan and get Omakase and eat all our favorite foods.
If you could change the end of any film what would it be and what would you change it to?
Uncut Gems. It was an amazing movie but so stressful to watch and the ending just made that even more stressful.
Why do you think we are here on planet earth at this time?
I believe in past lives and that we are here now on this earth to learn lessons for the next life. Hopefully we are here now to spread joy, make human connections and enjoy the world.
What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?
I don’t remember my dreams often :(
If you were an ice cream flavor, what would it be?
matcha with mochi
What's the worst lie you ever told as a kid?
I wasn’t a liar but when I was 4 I took $100 from my aunt but then I gave it back.
Have you ever experienced true love?
Yes. I’ve been with my boyfriend for 9ish years since we were 16 years old. I also think my love for my dog is the truest you can get.
If you could learn one new skill instantly, what would it be?
Knowing how to fix cars
See more from Wallice here, and her tour diary below:
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