Wesley Black, Perth’s alternative hip-hop posterboy, has teamed up with indie-rock outfit Dear Sunday to deliver ‘Sleepless Nights’. The collab sees Wesley Black combining his hook-laden melodies and lyricism over the dreamy, melancholic indie rock filled out by pulsating percussion, modulated electric guitar and bass synthesisers. Black and Dear Sunday have stitched together something fresh and exciting that we love. We caught up with Wesley to find out more about the track, passions and more.

Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?

This track is about relying on someone so much that you’re willing to give up everything for them. After I lost contact with someone, I waited for them to reach out to me again for what felt like the longest time, when they finally did H stayed up all night, without sleep just to talk. One of the happiest moments, but a somber ending, hence the bittersweet nature of the track.

How did the collab with Dear Sunday come to be and how was it working with them?

I showed them the demo in JCAL’s studio, at first they said they hadn’t yet worked on a song like this, but after 2 sessions we all loved the track and the direction it went. This track was all made together which was probably my favourite part, we created it from the ground up.

What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

This one I wrote the same night that I described earlier. The happiest and saddest experiences all in a few hours, had me losing sleep and writing the full track when I got home in the early morning. The title Sleepless Nights is very genuine hahaha.

What do you think makes a great song?

I think any song that allows you to feel how the artist intended, or even in multiple unique ways, is a great track.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I'd love to collaborate with a few Perth rappers, Complete and Vahsoong. But after this track I'd love to work with way more bands, if it opens up a whole new world that I want to explore more.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?

As many as I can, really! Graphic design is my job, but as well I make music videos, animation and design for artists mainly. I also love story writing and creating comic books with a passion and the characters and stories have a major influence on my writing and lifestyle.

Who are some local acts we should check out?

Everyone on Goonie Records, Dear Sunday, Oshua, Cloud Dstrct, Tobias just to name a few.

Winter or summer and why?

Winter, I like winter fits better and my Croatian genes don’t let me in the sun long.

What do you have planned for 2023?

A whole new sound. A whole new genre and I’m creating an album for you guys too.

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A Quick Chat With Wesley Black