NEW SINGLE : VANDERWOLF unveils new single 'The 6.09' ahead of next week's sophomore album release + four songs confirmed to feature in Luke Evans' forthcoming major motion picture

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© Chiara Meattelli 2024

VANDERWOLF RELEASES NEW SINGLE “THE 6.09” AS FOUR SONGS CONFIRMED TO BE

FEATURED IN NEW MAJOR MOTION PICTURE ‘5LBS OF PRESSURE’ STARRING LUKE EVANS

LISTEN TO “THE 6.09” / WATCH THE VIDEO

NEW VANDERWOLF ALBUM ‘THE GREAT BEWILDERMENT’

OUT MARCH 13th 2024 (VIA ANOTHER RECORD LABEL)

“An unforgettable sonic journey” (Lost In Transmission)

“A major rock record full of big emotions and adventurous songs” (Yorkshire Times)

LEAD SINGLE “SWEEP AWAY THE SHARDS” ALSO AVAILABLE NOW

Acclaimed US musician Vanderwolf has released new single & video “The 6.09” from his forthcoming sophomore album ‘The Great Bewilderment,’ out 13^th March 2024 on LP, CD & digital formats.

The new single release comes hot on the heels of news that four Vanderwolf tracks have been confirmed to feature in the new major Lionsgate feature film ‘5lbs Of Pressure’ starring Luke Evans, Rory Culkin and Alex Pettyfer.

“The 6.09” begins with a whispered confession and personal introduction from the fictional protagonist Tristan James, who relays the trials and tribulations of living out one’s ambitions in the workplace. What follows is depiction of how the very nature of work exploits us and divides us, as Vanderwolf sings: “You did your job, did it well, dust to dust and straight to hell, when the hours we strive mark the borders of our lives.’’

“I suppose it’s a direct reflection of my life as a labourer in the arts, producing concerts and festivals absolutely blinded by the ambition and passion of working with artists I admired for over 10 years,” explains Max Vanderwolf, who produced Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall for almost a decade. “Of course, I can’t complain about my time with Jeff Beck or Patti Smith or David Bowie or countless others great artists… Or the many great moments we created for audiences together… But it did take its toll on me. It does come at a cost. And I did see how the workplace sets up political divides in its quest for self-perpetuation and validation.”

For the video, Vanderwolf went back to Alden Volney, who had created four animated videos for his critically acclaimed 2021 debut LP ‘12 Little Killers.’ ‘’I was very surprised with Alden’s interpretation of the song. I must admit, I didn’t think it would work. But ultimately, when I saw the work and the narrative Alden built, completely separate from the narrative of the song, I recognised his brilliant approach. As an animator and a storyteller he’s one of the greatest video directors out there.’’

“The 6.09” follows lead single “Sweep Away The Shards”, which has received over 100,000 plays across Vanderwolf’s socials. Both tracks feature on the epic new album ‘The Great Bewilderment’, which was recorded in Los Angeles after Vanderwolf relocated there from New York during the pandemic.

“LA can be isolating even in the best of times but coming out here in the midst of the pandemic, and bouncing from rental home to rental home in a city where I knew very few people made for a strange time,” he recalls. “There’s no town square, high street or local pub in LA. Ultimately the isolation, which we all felt during the pandemic to varying degrees, informed a lot of the writing.’’

The album title itself is drawn from the mood of writing music during this period, when Vanderwolf’s parallel career of organising concerts and festivals was at a standstill. “I think we’re still in that great bewilderment,” he insists. “With threats to democracy, the division of opinion, plus this latest war on top of the war in Ukraine, and the climate crisis becoming acute, there’s a looming sense that there’s nothing we can do. There’s a sense of powerlessness. After 14 years of Tory corruption in an alleged democracy…that IS bewildering! That a twice impeached President with 91 indictments against him can be the frontrunner in a presidential election…that is bewildering.”

Next month will see the nationwide theatrical release of ‘5lbs of Pressure’, a crime drama set in New York City. The film will feature four Vanderwolf songs from ‘12 Little Killers’ including ‘’I am Not a Mountain’’, which will accompany the film’s closing credits. The film, written and directed by Phil Allocco, along with Luke Evans, stars Alex Pettier, Rory Caulkin, Stephanie Leonidas and Rudy Pankow.

Vanderwolf comments: ‘’It was very exciting to be asked to lend my songs to this film. But when I saw the final cut, it felt more like an honour. They don’t make gritty dramas like this anymore. The performances are devastating and the story-telling is mesmerising.’’

Allocco adds: ‘’A friend introduced me to the Vanderwolf record long before we were in production and I always thought these songs would be great in a film. They are cinematic in their own right and I needed music that was profound and powerful for this film. Thematically, it seemed very strong idea to use multiple songs from the album for this film.’’

Vanderwolf’s music can be found on Bandcamp , all streaming platforms or the official website www.vanderwolfmusic.com