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WENS is an emerging artist who should be on everyone’s radar. The up-and-coming talent writes from a place of truth and authenticity, and it’s connected with listeners around the world. Pop Culturalist had the chance to speak with WENS about her career and her two new singles!

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
WENS: I basically grew up in the back seat of a car from the time I was born until I was eight or nine. My mom drove me around so much as a kid because I had older siblings who played sports, and she said the only way that I’d be content was if she had music playing. So, from a very young age, I always found comfort in music.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
WENS: I feel like I’ve been influenced by so much and I’m constantly looking for new sources to draw from, so it’s hard for me to pinpoint one. But, when I was younger, I was absolutely obsessed with Britney Spears. I’d run around the house putting on mini shows for my family singing her songs. I think I was just obsessed with the structure and catchiness to her music. It inspired me to make songs from that point on. When I was in middle school, I fell in love with Frank Ocean and his ability to take you into his world. That was really when I started writing constantly.

PC: At a young age, you were pitching songs to various artists. What was the biggest lesson that you learned from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
WENS: In many ways, it was a songwriter boot camp. From that experience, I learned that speaking your truth is always the most important part about making a song. The more personal it is, the more people gravitate to your story. I also think it made me grow some thick skin (even though I’m still soft AF), but it prepared me for the constant rejection that you face being an artist.

PC: Of all the music that you’ve released, if you had to choose one that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
WENS: “Sad sad” feels the most me. It’s the first song I’ve ever released that I produced as well, so it feels like a complete extension of me. The lyrics to the song are like you’re reading snippets from my journal entry, they’re a full-blown train of thought. From making this song, I learned that I want my art to be as honest, genuine, and raw as possible. Sometimes that means just letting a song speak for itself rather than trying to make it into something it’s not.

PC: You have a pair of new singles out now. Tell us about “sad sad” and “giant bat” and the inspiration behind the songs.
WENS: The two tracks are about being in a long-distance relationship. “Giant bat” talks about the difficulty of being in it and “sad sad” breaks down the realization of knowing that it isn’t going to work out. It’s weird to think that I wrote both songs while I was still in the long-distance relationship. These songs were so special to release because it was the first time I’ve ever put something out that I was still very much in the middle of processing.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020 into 2021, what can fans expect from you?
WENS: A ton of new music as well as some fun collaborations with other artists. As soon as it’s safe I hope to play tons of shows all over.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
WENS: Dua Lipa—I’m obsessed.

PC: First album you bought?
WENS: Alt-J’s An Awesome Wave.

PC: First concert you attended?
WENS: Ellie Goulding.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
WENS: There are literally so many and I hate picking one, but Channel Orange definitely was the album that confirmed for me all I wanted to do with my life was make music forever.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
WENS: The Greek or Hollywood Bowl.

PC: A must-have on the road?
WENS: Headphones, a notebook, and a disposable camera…also a hydro flask.

To keep up with WENS, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.

Check out WENS’ latest music video:

Photo Credit: Brooke Barone