Josephine Vander Guch of Oh Wonder Shares Her Thoughts on Human Connection and Partner Anthony West

Jordan Bailey

London-based alt-pop duo Oh Wonder has in the course of one year gone from budding Soundcloud uploaders to global-touring indie phenoms. The recent release of their self-titled debut album has touched listeners with its sweet synths, dark vibes and flawless harmonization from singers/producers Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West. Entertainment Voice had a chat with Josephine just ahead of the holidays to discuss the band’s new found triumphs and the perpetually strong relationship with her musical partner in crime.   

Given the rise of the band, particularly since the release of your debut album in September, has Oh Wonder officially taken over your lives?

Yes, it has! It’s really funny because we never thought it would be our main focus. We eat, breathe, sleep Oh Wonder. I don’t think we’ve had a day off in like six months, which is like pretty insane. You’re always working in some capacity and we love it. We feel very fortunate that it has taken over our lives, that it has become our main focus. That’s been the dream of ours to wake and do music then go to sleep, then wake up the next day and do music. We’re super grateful!

How’s it been to see those massive Soundcloud numbers transform into actual crowds of people? Have you felt any pressure to live up to the numbers, so to speak?

Yeah, a little bit I guess. I think we both thrive under pressure, which is why we released the album the way we did (one song a month via Soundcloud). It’s super important to us to make sure our live show is as great as it can be, infused with energy and life and positivity, and to put on a good show for people. So that pressure is really good for us. It makes us work harder and want to do more.

You’ve said previously that you’re trying to explore the concept of human connection on this album. What type of connection were you attempting to make with your listeners?

The overarching theme is one of being there for people and forging those connections, new connections and the importance of that. It’s very easy to stay safe within the confines of what you know and not reach out to other people, but it’s actually so important to reach out and be there for other people and strangers whether that be at gigs or whatever. I guess the [idea] of human connection is about building connections with people around the world and to help them build connections with other people around music. You can go to a gig and all those people have one thing in common at a minimum, and it’s that artist. That’s an amazing thing to be able to bring groups of strangers together who are totally united for an hour…that’s beautiful. 

Your track “Drive” seems to be one of the more concentrated relationship songs on the album as well as one of the most popular. Can you talk about the inspiration behind it?

It’s kind of your classic, traditional breakup song. Anthony and I have both been in positions where we’ve broken up with somebody and that moment of relief and freedom coupled with anxiety and rejection and ‘Have I done the right thing?’ and ‘How am I going to cope?’ and all the questions that run through your mind. Just exploring that concept but set to an uplifting pop production so it’s not miserable (laughs).

“White Blood” is a very intriguing title. Where did that name come from?

It was kind of inspired by white blood cells, which obviously we all need to fight and be immune from disease and illness. So we used the term “white blood” as a metaphor for protection from horrible things in life through the medium of other people. So the idea is of being someone’s white blood, being someone’s immunity and safe place and protection and fighting all the bad stuff.

The fan interview section of your website is very unique. What’s been the most memorable interview you’ve done with a fan?

They’re all so interesting but the ones that really stick out for me. . .there are a few instances where we interviewed a group, like a group of girls. These are people that met at our show for various reasons and there’s one where a girl got scammed. She bought a ticket to our show and ended up getting a fake ticket and she had found somebody else who was about to make the same purchase and make the same mistake. In the end, we gave one of them free tickets and she took this other girl, this complete stranger, someone she’d never met before and they met at the gig. So we interviewed them both…it’s such a testament to what music as a concept is about, which is about bringing people together, bringing people closer…. That was really inspirational and affirming to see that happen at our concert.

How has your relationship with your partner Anthony West changed throughout Oh Wonder’s success over the past year?

It’s markedly different because where we’ve been friends before now we’re business partners, I guess…in a weird way. If anything, it’s totally blossomed because now we kind of have to trust each other and it’s no longer about just creative respects. It’s definitely been strengthened for the better. I implicitly trust Anthony and I hope he trusts me back!

What’s one thing you’ve learned about Anthony now that you’re working so closely together that you hadn’t previously known?

[He] has a lot of respect and patience for other people. A couple of weeks ago we were in Russia. We’d just played a show in Saint Petersburg and we’d just got on a train to Moscow. We had like five hours sleep and we’d woken up at like 7 o’clock in the morning to go do live television, and I was like “I really need a shower” and they were like “Sure, sure.” So they gave me a sink and a paper towel and I dried myself with yesterday’s clothes and a paper towel, and I was just so sad! And Anthony, in any situation, is so wide-eyed with gratitude that that kind of stuff doesn’t phase him. He was like “Hold on, look at the bigger picture here. We’re in Russia going on live television. Whether you have to dry yourself with a paper towel is kind of irrelevant.” He’s so good in that he taught me that [with] all the crappy stuff that happens in life to always look at the bigger picture. So I’ve learned that from him and it’s been a hugely valuable lesson for me to learn. Just shut up and get on with it, don’t complain (laughs).