Wes Parker - Fantom [EP]

For Wes Parker, sounds interlock like puzzle pieces. A ruddy guitar riff might click next to a broken piano melody, or a hauntingly angelic vocal could mesh just right with an off-kilter chord progression and D.I.Y. beat. All of these elements fit together in order to paint the personal portrait depicted in his music.

It’s almost like he’s a mad scientist in his home studio, architecting poetically primal alternative rock that could’ve appeared in the MTV Buzz Bin back in the day or would make for a fiery sunset set at Coachella.

Gathering millions of streams and receiving acclaim from the likes of EARMILK and more, he emerges as just the alchemist rock music needs with his Fantom EP [Big Machine Rock].

“The process changes,” he says. “I usually build a song around one piece. Sometimes, it happens in a burst of inspiration. Other times, I’m mapping out an idea for a while. It’s a lot like a patchwork of finding the right pieces. It could happen instantly or take a couple of weeks. It’s very Frankenstein-like.”

The Richmond native grew up as the youngest of four kids with two older brothers and a sister. Following his parents’ divorce, he moved in with his dad who frequently jammed Beatles tunes from an old songbook. “I spent a lot of my childhood making a bunch of horrible sounds, learning music, and being creative,” he smiles.

Mom bought a copy of Green Day’s American Idiot from PACSUN for him, and it proved life-changing. He honed his skills as a songwriter and producer and also devoured classics from the likes of Muse, Radiohead, and more. He dropped out of college after one semester and co-founded the band Camp Howard alongside a cohort of childhood friends. The band saw some success on DSPs and the road, touring with everyone from Stone Temple Pilots to Backseat Lovers. Though the group eventually parted ways, Wes continued to write and record on his own. At the end of 2023, he underwent a revelation. (continue reading full bio on DISCO)