The Wans
are preparing to release an eleven-song LP on the 11th anniversary
of their first EP. The LP “Magical Touch” is scheduled to drop on July 26,
2023. Thus far, two rousing singles are available, including the title track. The
album was recorded and mixed using vintage recording equipment and minimal
overdubs, which regular concert-goers will readily recognize as the best formula
for the ability to perform songs in a live setting without reducing the
authenticity of the show by using techniques such as pre-recorded backing tracks.
Interestingly,
both currently available songs from the upcoming LP are unapologetically Rock
while having intelligent insights into romantic relationships. That’s
particularly accurate for the title track, “Magic Touch,” which was motivated
by a 1958 movie. The lyrics of the song are included in this post. The third
line is the name of the 65-year-old movie, “Bell, Book, and Candle,” which is a
story about a “modern-day” (1958) witch who enchants a neighbor to shift his
love from his fiancée to her. Thus, the lyrics reference witchcraft, stirring
the potion, and casting spells.
Instrumentally, “Magical Touch” begins with a somewhat inelegant chime and
then The Wans hit the ground running. The song has an intentionally gritty feel.
The energy is at its highest during the bridge that begins at 2:07. But the
chorus is not far behind and is likely to induce fans to sing alone during concerts.
The
Wans are based in Nashville, Tennessee. The band is fronted by Simon Kerr and
includes Thomas Bragg (bass), Noah Denney (drums), and Akshay Narang (keys and
guitar). While talking about the upcoming LP, Kerr said:
“There are certainly hints of 80’s and 90’s Brit-Pop influences, but the songwriting has become more focused and that’s not an overthought. My dad, Tony Kerr, has been my main songwriting partner since I was 16. Some father-son’s bond over fishing, but we bond over writing songs. It’s become effortless when we write together.”
Bragg added:
“Simon and I have been so excited with what’s going on in the Irish/British music scene in the last few years. Bands like Idles and Fontaines D.C have made some of the best records of the last decade and I think that definitely had an effect on our music and this record.”
“Magical
Touch” by The Wans
“There are certainly hints of 80’s and 90’s Brit-Pop influences, but the songwriting has become more focused and that’s not an overthought. My dad, Tony Kerr, has been my main songwriting partner since I was 16. Some father-son’s bond over fishing, but we bond over writing songs. It’s become effortless when we write together.”
Bragg added:
“Simon and I have been so excited with what’s going on in the Irish/British music scene in the last few years. Bands like Idles and Fontaines D.C have made some of the best records of the last decade and I think that definitely had an effect on our music and this record.”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewansmusic
Website: https://www.thewansmusic.com/
Bandcamp: https://thewans.bandcamp.com/music
Website: https://www.thewansmusic.com/
Bandcamp: https://thewans.bandcamp.com/music
Lyrics of “Magical Touch” by The Wans
Your love is hard to handle
Bell, Book and a Candle
You set it alight
Your love is what I’m under
Witchcraft
One or the other
What happens tonight?
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch
Can't shake
The charm you gave me
Daybreak it′s still on me
You set me alight
Midnight
Stirrin' the potion
You read every emotion
I'll take it tonight
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch
You got the magical touch
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch [3 times]
You got the magical touch [3 times]
Your love is hard to handle
Bell, Book and a Candle
You set it alight
Your love is what I’m under
Witchcraft
One or the other
What happens tonight?
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch
Can't shake
The charm you gave me
Daybreak it′s still on me
You set me alight
Midnight
Stirrin' the potion
You read every emotion
I'll take it tonight
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch
You got the magical touch
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch [3 times]
You got the magical touch [3 times]
Simon
Kerr explained the meaning of the second song release for the LP:
“’Otherside’ is a coming of age kind of a song as much as it is a love song. In my earlier years, I was most likely a bit of an idiot and selfishly broke a few people’s hearts, which I regret. That’s where this song comes in. It’s about finding love and realizing that’s the person you’re supposed to be with. ‘I would break hearts one after the other until I found you.’ As much as it is about love it’s also about growth as a person and being a good human being. Ha. We can’t all be 20 years old forever can we? That’s not saying we don’t all stumble and fall every now and then. Aside from the subject matter, the song has my favorite guitar solo on the record. A 1969 Univox superfuzz into a 1964 vibroverb that was cranked. Total Search & Destroy sound (The Stooges).”
The Wans begin “Otherside” with a cleaner sound than in the title track of the LP. The bass is as crisp as a bass can be. But the song soon takes a turn into the Garage sound. Again talking about the LP, Kerr said:
“The Wans’ have always shared a brotherhood and love for making Rock n’ Roll, which is much needed in today’s overall climate and music scene. Lyrically, this record purposefully radiates self-awareness, love, and togetherness. The Wans’ are everything to me. When it comes to the song’s they’re all we have. The great Joe Strummer once said, ‘People have got to stop pretending they're not in the world. It's time to take that humanity back into the center of the ring and follow that for a time. Think on that. Without people you're nothing.’”
“Otherside” by The Wans
“’Otherside’ is a coming of age kind of a song as much as it is a love song. In my earlier years, I was most likely a bit of an idiot and selfishly broke a few people’s hearts, which I regret. That’s where this song comes in. It’s about finding love and realizing that’s the person you’re supposed to be with. ‘I would break hearts one after the other until I found you.’ As much as it is about love it’s also about growth as a person and being a good human being. Ha. We can’t all be 20 years old forever can we? That’s not saying we don’t all stumble and fall every now and then. Aside from the subject matter, the song has my favorite guitar solo on the record. A 1969 Univox superfuzz into a 1964 vibroverb that was cranked. Total Search & Destroy sound (The Stooges).”
The Wans begin “Otherside” with a cleaner sound than in the title track of the LP. The bass is as crisp as a bass can be. But the song soon takes a turn into the Garage sound. Again talking about the LP, Kerr said:
“The Wans’ have always shared a brotherhood and love for making Rock n’ Roll, which is much needed in today’s overall climate and music scene. Lyrically, this record purposefully radiates self-awareness, love, and togetherness. The Wans’ are everything to me. When it comes to the song’s they’re all we have. The great Joe Strummer once said, ‘People have got to stop pretending they're not in the world. It's time to take that humanity back into the center of the ring and follow that for a time. Think on that. Without people you're nothing.’”
“Otherside” by The Wans
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