The Beachland Ballroom

Chain Of Fools

The 3rd Single from Wïlderman, released by Donut Records on 25/08/23

Sleepwalkers

Lorraine &nbsp;and has recently written . How does "the interesting" fit into human flourishing? How do we know when some attractive stimulation is really in our interest and really good?   Can we find something interesting even the most tedious, repetitive tasks? Is it interesting to start an improv scene by declaring that your scene-mates are dealing with alcoholism and divorce? Certainly it is rude. Also, Happiness 12 Step Programs. . . .

Philosophy vs. Improv #84: Interesting? w/ Lorraine Besser

A wheezing Trump on the White House balcony; a tech giant portraying a utopian workplace; armed right-wing militia protesting lockdown; a chief medic silently aghast at the suggestion of injecting disinfectant. These are the sorts of images that have inspired Wïlderman’s debut offering as the series of unfortunate events that has been bookended by the beyond-bizarre 45th US presidency has unfolded across the pond.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Wïlderman moved to the UK aged nine and, while counting himself a Brit, has always felt keenly his US heritage. It was this feeling of duality – in recent times, he says, akin to watching a load of toxic drama transpire among a group of friends he no longer drinks with – that led to the penning of the new track.

“We’ve always held the US up as the pinnacle of Western society, but they’re just making it up as they go along. This is a different way of viewing a subject we’ve been batting around for so long, rather than just social media shit-slinging; distilling and articulating all the ideas floating around between us to try and make sense of things.” – Wïlderman

Who Wants to Be an American

Wïlderman is the alias of Bobby Anderson – son of Young Disciples singer Carleen Anderson and grandson of James Brown’s right-hand man Bobby Byrd. An intrinsic part of the fabric of Bristol’s live music scene for 15 years, including stints fronting cult band Fortune Drive in the early days and touring with fellow Bristolians IDLES in 2020, he is known for distinctively raw, soulful vocals. Tinged with Americana, its lifeblood a powerful vox that doesn’t fail to deliver a shiver, the folk-flavoured Who Wants To Be An American can be seen as a peaceable protest yarn. A philosophical commentary on continuing conflict, that illustrates Wïlderman’s knack for writing lyrics that communicate what everyone’s thinking but hasn’t quite worked out how to say yet.

Who Wants to Be an American

Wïlderman

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