WESLEY is Anthony Anderson. An electro-pop artist from Minnesota that moved to LA to pursue his musical dreams. He quit the corporate grind to fully commit to his passion. His intricately-woven melodies are accented by his raspy voice and thoughtful lyrics. We talked to the up-and-coming artist about quitting the 9-to-5 and the biggest challenges he's faced.
How did you get started in music?
WESLEY: My parents got me started in the church choir when I was a kid. I was really energetic so they found music to be something that I liked and a way to channel my energy.
Tell me about the decision to do music full-time? How did you finally make the leap?
WESLEY: I was working for Red Bull and found my time was completely consumed by work. I had no capacity to create, so I decided to cut ties with the corporate world and focus solely on my music.
Tell me about 'Phantom Feeling’ what’s the story behind the song?
WESLEY: Phantom Feeling is a song about having something so close to you that you feel it's always there. I was in a store one day and I had this rush of a feeling that this girl I was seeing at the time was right next to me, she was no where to be found, and from that experience I wrote Phantom Feeling.
Where do you get writing inspiration?
WESLEY: Life experiences.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your career?
WESLEY: Probably nailing down a stage name. My birth name, Anthony Anderson, is already taken by a famous actor. So, over the course of developing my persona I went through a lot of name changes to finally land on Wesley. The name comes from my late grandfather.
What’s your best piece of advice for young artists?
WESLEY: There is no testimony without a test. So, consistency is key.
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