i-Files: WENS

In the days since COVID-19 has dominated our screens and mandatory self-isolation is being enforced globally, things can seem pretty bleak. EQUATE wanted to catch up with our favourite artists and creatives for our ‘Isolation Files’ to see what they are doing to keep their spirits up in this time, and bring some positivity to our readers.

EQUATE got the chance to connect with our babe, WENS, from across the pond, to find out what’s getting her though #islationlife. Creating aesthetic-led pop for the euphoria generation, LA-based WENS is a realist, and a badass. Describing her latest release ‘Lemoncholy’ (OUT TODAY) as “a voice to the excluded and ignored” she ensures with each candid and irresistibly sad jam, that her coming-of-age struggles of being raised in LA by Iranian and Italian-American parents are heard loud and clear!

EQ: Hey WENS! So, what are you doing to stay busy right now?

W: Hey hey! Well, I’ve been starting to make some beats. They’re terrible at the moment but I’m hoping by the end of this time to have written and produced a few songs fully on my own. It definitely feels rewarding. Also been doing some yoga, baking, and listening to podcasts. My favourite podcast is Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. I highly recommend giving some of those episodes a listen.

EQ: What are the top three tracks on your playlist at the moment? Anything in particular you can’t take off repeat?

W: I go through phases where I don’t really listen to much music and I’m kinda in that currently. A few weeks ago it was Guilty Conscience - 070 Shake; Acai Bowl - Dominic Fike; Deep End - Holly Humberstone. Also the Harry Styles album hehe.

EQ: What would you recommend we all tune into on Netflix/Amazon Prime?

W: I love Sex Education, Ugly Delicious, High Fidelity (Hulu), Pose, Love is Blind (please don’t judge me), I am also contemplating whether or not I should start Gossip Girl over again for the 4th time. Fleabag, Girls, Arrested Development.

my response when someone asks me to hang out #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/pOVi2IcwdJ

— WENS (@whateverwens) March 14, 2020

Twitter/WHATEVERWENS

EQ: With so much content out there right now across socials, is there anything that has stood out to you that you can share?

W: I’m always overwhelmed with content but it’s particularly overwhelming at the moment. I really love Sevdaliza and her posts have been super helpful. She’s doing these mini Quarantined episodes on her IG. Also I really love Charli XCX’s Quarantine Diary Entries on twitter. They are really nice to read. I think I’m just finding it comforting to read people talking about their experiences and it’s making me feel normal/less alone with my thoughts.

View this post on Instagram

Today I wrote about art. I cooked and cleaned. It feels heavenly strange to be contained. Today I meditated for those in despair. Those who are sick, hungry and tired. I feel blessed to have a safe space, and loved ones around me. Let us all heal. I hope everyone is safe.

A post shared by SEVDALIZA (@sevdaliza_) on Mar 18, 2020 at 1:40pm PDT

EQ: What’s a positive mantra that’s getting you through this time?

W: I just keep telling myself that “good always comes out of times like this”. “Light always finds its way through the darkness”.

We will come out of this stronger than before. With so many lessons learned.

EQ: With all the spare time, how are you tapping into your creativity?

W: I have a little studio space in my room so it kinda stares at me all day which helps motivate me. As long as I sit at the piano or strum on the guitar I feel like I did something. Music is also pretty therapeutic so playing songs and singing songs and writing songs all makes me feel slightly better.

EQ: First place you’ll head to when everyone comes out of isolation?

W: I’ll probably go to a coffee shop, go out for sushi, go for a nice long hike, go to a museum. Literally anything and everything possible.

EQ: What can we look forward to hearing from you later in the year? Any exciting projects we should be looking out for?

W: The last few months I’ve been in the process of finishing up some more songs. Potentially another EP. I hope it doesn’t get too delayed but the goal was to have a lot more music out summer/fall of this year. Who knows maybe I’ll make a couple songs in isolation and put them out.

Stream WENS ‘Lemoncholy’ HERE

Keep up with WENS on social media:

Instagram: @whateverwens

Twitter: @whateverwens