We’ve said it before and we’ll no doubt say it again, but the rise to fame that Isle of Wight band Wet Leg have had, has been nothing short of phenomenal, and their latest accolades include featuring on the front covers of NME Big Read and DIY Magazine.
Having knocked out some absolute bangers (ie. great music) over the last year, and with their debut album release just around the corner, it’s no surprise that the industry is clambering to feature the band.
‘The new queens of the indie game’
Recently the Isle of Wight duo, Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, took residency on the front cover of DIY magazine, looking absolutely glorious, with the magazine calling them ‘the new queens of the indie game’.
Makeup Alice Dodds, design Louise Mason
Last month Rhian and Hester were featured in Vogue Magazine.
Front cover of NME’s Big Read
This week they are on the front cover of NME’s Big Read. Having been nominated an amazing five times in the 2022 BandLab NME Awards might have something to do with it (sadly they didn’t win any awards, but being nominated in five categories was a great feat).
In this week’s NME feature, Hester and Rhian talk about their sudden rise to fame, their shared love of The Lord of the Rings, what it’s like being best friends in a band and more.
Following since the beginning
In case you haven’t clocked it yet, here at News OnTheWight we’re big fans of Wet Leg, their music, their videos and their general approach to life.
We’ve seen them play live to home audiences at Rhythmtree Festival 2019, in Strings Bar and Venue (2021) as well as a support band for the equally brilliant Fat Earthers in the long-gone Rose Inn in Ventnor (2019).
Found success after deciding “we weren’t going to try”
That was in the old days, pre-signing to Domino Records, who we understand are just as taken aback by the rise to fame as the duo are.
Their lives now seem almost always on the road, gigging across the nation, as well as internationally, with band members in tow; Ellis Durand on bass, Henry Holmes on drums and Josh Mobaraki on guitar and synth.
They’re on their second tour of the US at the moment and playing to sell out gigs, as well as appearing on the likes of Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.
Talking to the NME, Hester says,
“It’s ironic we found success once we decided we weren’t going to try really hard.”
Bigger billboard than Jack White
Some highlights from the NME feature include the fact that while doing a short US tour in December, they went to see a billboard announcing their album in LA’s ultra-cool neighbourhood, Silver Lake.
Hester explains,
“The next week the billboard that was up there was Jack White, and his was smaller than ours!
“I remember I was like, ‘This is not OK!’”
Nerding out
On their love of The Lord Of The Rings, Hester admits,
“I’m such a nerd about it, but it’s the best ever.”
However, Rhian adds,
“We need to stop talking about The Lord Of The Rings in interviews, it’s so embarrassing.”
A solid friendship
On being best friends in a band, Rhian says,
“Being in a band can make or break a friendship… we’re staying solid.
“Every time we leave each other for a couple of days and then get back in the van, we’re like, ‘It’s so nice to get the band back together!’
“Every day there’s always something – big things, small things – where we definitely need each other. In a really healthy way, not a creepy way. In a cool way.”
Haven’t switched to the optimistic side of feeling existential yet
On their songwriting process, Hester says,
“I’m quite a lazy songwriter. It’s an acknowledgement rather than me processing anything.
“It’s like I know this is myself right now, and I haven’t been able to switch to the optimistic side of feeling existential yet.”
Wet Leg’s debut album
Their debut album, Wet Leg, comes out on 8th April 2022 on Domino Records.
You can preorder your copy directly from the band’s Website or locally through Ventnor Exchange or AAA Records in Newport.
Check out the music videos
Below are a sample of videos from the band, including the really cute Tiny Desk (Home) Concert recorded at Ventnor Exchange for NPR Music (at the bottom of the list).
Wet Leg Online
Visit the Wet Leg Website or follow the band on Instagram (101,000 followers), Facebook (19,600 followers), TikTok (240,000+ followers and 2m Likes) or Twitter (25,500+ followers).
Images: © Parri Thomas
