What is your name?
My name is Waverly!
What is your genre of music?
I describe my music as songs to dream or dance to – Pop with elements of trap and rnb.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a Cambodian-born, Austin-raised songwriter, producer, and artist. After 2 years of producing other people’s projects, I wanted a project of my own where I had full control over the sound, style, visuals, themes, and brand. Waverly is that project, aimed at shining a stronger light on the pop music scene here in Austin, as well as becoming a new figure to represent southeast Asia in mainstream music and media.
What made you go into music?
I started music in elementary school learning piano, picking up double bass in middle school orchestra, and eventually graduated from University of North Texas with a music performance degree. I picked up music production while in college, and immediately fell in love with the ability to create layers and beats literally just on a laptop.
Who are your influences?
Musically, I’m really inspired by the production on Ariana Grande’s tracks, and all of Galimatias’ work. I love the lyricism of Avenue Beat. Aesthetically, I love the 88Rising artists, Rauw Alejandro, and Paul Pogba.
Are you signed?
I’m not signed, but I always owe a huge thanks to the team at Quadio, and my sync agent Nathalie at Soundsync.
You released your new single ‘Every Little Thing’, tell us more about the single.
My debut single! every little thing explores the tension between a friendship and the start of something more. 100% was written about a time I went out with a friend and maybe I thought it was a date. It very much wasn’t, but I got a song out of it.
What is the meaning behind the single?
Surprisingly, probably around 60% of the production/songwriting was done while sitting at a local coffee shop. Only needing a laptop and a pair of headphones, I love doing my writing and producing as nomadic as possible.
Describe the track in two words.
Dreamy, Evocative
Who did you work with on the single?
I cowrote it with my main collaborator Casie Luong (while at the coffeeshop!), it was engineered by Jamison McMackin in New York, and the album art portrait was taken by Brynach Hogan.
Will we see a Music video for ‘Every Little Thing’, what can we expect from the creative process?
Right now I have plans to record stripped/acoustic videos for all of my upcoming singles.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, can you give us a teaser of what to expect?
Speaking of upcoming, I plan on dropping singles every month and a half for the remainder of 2022, maybe culminating in an EP. We’ll have to wait and see (:
Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up and if so let us know where we can catch you at?
We’re right at the start of something special. I’m in the process of planning the debut show, but I’m aiming for Austin’s Hot Summer Nights festival.
What else can we expect in 2022?
First show, first merch, first video. 2022 should be really fun.
Will we see any collaborations and if so, can you tell us more about them?
The next single will feature Casie Luong on vocals, followed by a feature from New Jersey songwriter and vocalist, Victoria Taylor. And some more planned for later 2022 that’ll stay under wraps for now …
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In 5 years I’d like to either still be in Austin as the prince of atx, or moved out to LA, making music for myself and whoever I currently aspire to work with. A couple collabs with 88Rising and some of the best Asian artists around under my belt would be cool.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
I try to always stay curious. I’m not sure if that’s a quote, but someone definitely told me once to stay curious so I guess that counts?
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
A yerba mate, a backpack always on my back, an extra shirt, headphones to zone everything out with, and a fleece sock on my left foot that has slowly become the only thing I’m superstitious about (never going to perform without it though)
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
You can find me at @wavelrytheartist on Instagram and Tiktok!
Thank you so much to Music of the Future!