Wolf Alice

Wolf Alice are a British alternative rock band from London. Formed in 2010 as an acoustic duo comprising singer Ellie Rowsell and guitarist Joff Oddie, since 2012 Wolf Alice have also featured bassist Theo Ellis and drummer Joel Amey.

Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice live at Heaven in 2014. From left to right: Joff Oddie, Ellie Rowsell, Joel Amey, Theo Ellis
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active2010–present
Labels
Websitewolfalice.co.uk
MembersEllie Rowsell
Joel Amey
Joff Oddie
Theo Ellis
Past membersSadie Cleary
James DC

Wolf Alice released their debut single "Fluffy" in February 2013, and followed it with "Bros" in May. They released their debut EP Blush in October, and its follow-up Creature Songs in May 2014. In February 2015 the band released the lead single "Giant Peach" from their debut album My Love Is Cool, which was released in June 2015. It includes their 2014 single "Moaning Lisa Smile", which peaked at number nine on US Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in August 2015,[2] and was nominated for the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance.

The band released their second studio album Visions of a Life in September 2017. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and received universal acclaim from music critics. Ranked as one of the best albums of the year by multiple publications, the album won the 2018 Mercury Prize.

History

2010–2016: Formation, EPs and My Love Is Cool

Wolf Alice were formed in 2010 and began as an acoustic duo between Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie. Their name came from a short story by Angela Carter.[3][4] Eventually deciding to add electric elements to their sound, they recruited Rowsell's childhood friend Sadie Cleary to play bass and Oddie's friend James DC to be their drummer. They self-released an EP called Wolf Alice that year, featuring three songs: "Every Cloud", "Wednesday", and "Destroy Me".[5]

When their drummer broke his wrist in 2012, Joel Amey joined the band as a temporary replacement, but later became a permanent member. In that same year, Cleary left to focus on her studies. Theo Ellis was then recruited as their bassist in late 2012.[6] They released the song "Leaving You" online on SoundCloud as a free download which gained airplay from BBC Radio 1 and featured in NME's 'Radar' section.[7] After the song was released, they toured with Peace, and recorded a session for Huw Stephens' Radio 1 show in January. They released their first physical single "Fluffy" in February 2013 on the Chess Club label.[3][8]

Wolf Alice released their second single "Bros" in May on Chess Club Records.[9][10] "Bros" is one of the first songs that Rowsell wrote, which the band played in their early stages, leading to a tour where the band were supported by bands such as Dressed Like Wolves and Dead New Blood.[11] In October 2013, Wolf Alice released their first official EP called Blush, which was preceded by the release of "She".

In December 2013, they were chosen as the single most blogged about artist in the UK in that year by BBC Radio 6 Music.[12] In 2014, they signed to Dirty Hit and released their second EP Creature Songs in May. In December 2014, the band were named "Best Breakthrough Artist" at the UK Festival Awards.[13]

In late February 2015, Wolf Alice announced their debut album My Love Is Cool, and released the first single from the album, "Giant Peach".[14] In April, they released a reworked version of the fan favourite "Bros" as the second single from their debut album.[15] On 10 June, the band shared a new track, "You're a Germ".[16] My Love Is Cool was released on 22 June, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart and receiving highly positive reviews. Later that year, they released "You're a Germ" and "Freazy" as singles, as well as "Lisbon" in 2016. Later in 2016, they toured as a support act for The 1975's tour in the US.[17]

Filmmaker Michael Winterbottom followed Wolf Alice as they toured in support of My Love Is Cool. He filmed the band and also inserted two actors among them, playing members of the road crew, with a fictional love story developing as they moved from gig to gig. The resulting docudrama film, On the Road, was released in October 2016. According to Deadspin, "In the documentary, Winterbottom captures 16 different gigs and daily life backstage from the point of view of a new member of their crew."[18]

2017–present: Visions of a Life, Mercury Prize Win

In June 2017, Wolf Alice released the lead single "Yuk Foo" off their second studio album, Visions of a Life. They released three more singles, "Don't Delete the Kisses", "Beautifully Unconventional", and "Heavenward", before the release of their album on 28 September. In 2018, they also released "Formidable Cool", "Sadboy" and "Space & Time" as singles from the album.

The band toured throughout 2018, including dates supporting Foo Fighters during their Concrete and Gold Tour and Queens of the Stone Age as part of their Villains World Tour.[19] They also supported Liam Gallagher at his concert at Finsbury Park on 29 June 2018.[20]

In September 2018, Visions of a Life won the 2018 Mercury Prize.[21]

Musical style and influences

While the group's early material was folk-tinged pop, they became more rock-oriented after the rhythm section joined.[22][23] Clash described the band as "the lovechild of folk and grunge".[3] The "Fluffy" single saw the band compared to Elastica and Hole, while the single's B-side, "White Leather", saw comparisons to The xx.[24][25][26] Kitty Empire, writing in The Observer, described their sound as "an engaging strain of off-kilter indie rock".[4] The band describe their music as "rocky pop".[27] The Daily Telegraph declare Wolf Alice's debut album as 'feral and sophisticated' in review.[28]

In interview, the band has cited their liking for the Beatles, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blur and Courtney Love.[29]

Band members
Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice performing at Cambridge Junction, 2015

Current members

Former members:

  • Sadie Cleary – bass (2010–2012)
  • James DC – drums (2010–2012)

Discography
See also: List of songs recorded by Wolf Alice

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
UK
[30]		 AUS
[31]		 BEL
(FL)
[32]		 IRE
[33]		 NL
[34]		 SCO
[35]		 SWI
[36]		 US
[37]
My Love Is Cool 24114837836—90
Visions of a Life
  • Released: 29 September 2017
  • Label: Dirty Hit
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 2549113133288190

Extended plays
Title Details
Wolf Alice[5]
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Blush
  • Released: 7 October 2013
  • Label: Chess Club
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Creature Songs
  • Released: 26 May 2014
  • Label: Dirty Hit
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[41]		 BEL
(FL)
[32]		 CAN
Rock
[42]		 MEX
Air.
[43]		 SCO
[44]		 US
AAA
[45]		 US
Alt.
[46]		 US
Rock
[47]
"Fluffy" 2013 —[upper-alpha 1]——————— Non-album single
"She" ———————— Blush
"Moaning Lisa Smile" 2014 —[upper-alpha 2]—32———945 Creature Songs
"Giant Peach" 2015 —[upper-alpha 3]——————— My Love Is Cool
"Bros" 15758——901235—[upper-alpha 4]
"You're a Germ" —[upper-alpha 5]———————
"Freazy" ————————
"White Leather" / "Leaving You"[53] 2016 ———————— Non-album single
"Lisbon" ———————— My Love Is Cool
"Yuk Foo" 2017 ———————— Visions of a Life
"Don't Delete the Kisses" 100———74———
"Beautifully Unconventional" —[upper-alpha 6]———————
"Heavenward" ————————
"Formidable Cool" 2018 ———43————
"Sadboy" ————————
"Space & Time" —[upper-alpha 7]———————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charting songs
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
Down.
[56]		 SCO
[44]
"Silk" 2017 8639 My Love Is Cool

Notes
  1. "Fluffy" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 25 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[48]
  2. "Moaning Lisa Smile" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.[49]
  3. "Giant Peach" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 37 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.[50]
  4. "Bros" did not enter the Hot Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 45 on the Rock Airplay chart.[51]
  5. "You're a Germ" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 2 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.[52]
  6. "Beautifully Unconventional" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 87 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[54]
  7. "Space & Time" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number one on the UK Vinyl Singles chart.[55]

Awards and nominations
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2014Wolf AliceBest Breakthrough ArtistWon[13]
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2015Wolf AliceBest New Artist/BandWon[57]
YearRecipient/Nominated workResultRef.
2015My Love Is CoolNominated[58]
2018Visions of a LifeWon[59]
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2016Wolf AliceBritish Breakthrough ActNominated[60]
2018Wolf AliceBritish GroupNominated[61]
  • Global Awards
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2018Wolf AliceBest IndieNominated[62]
  • Grammy Awards
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2016"Moaning Lisa Smile"Best Rock PerformanceNominated[63]
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2016Wolf AliceBest British BandNominated[64]
Best Live BandWon
Best Fan CommunityNominated
My Love Is CoolBest AlbumNominated
"Giant Peach"Best TrackWon
"You're a Germ"Best Music VideoNominated
2017Wolf AliceBest British BandNominated[65]
Best Live BandNominated
Best Music VideoNominated
2018Wolf AliceBest British BandNominated[66]
Visions of a LifeBest AlbumNominated
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2016"Bros"Best Song Musically and Lyrically,Nominated[67]
YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef.
2016Wolf AliceBest Live ActNominated[68]
PPL award for most-played independent new actNominated

References
  1. James Christopher Monger. "Wolf Alice". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 March 2020. An evocative North London alt-rock outfit led by vocalist Ellie Rowsell, Wolf Alice deftly mixes folk, grunge, and electronic elements with vintage '90s indie rock
  2. "Wolf Alice – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  3. French, Matthew (2013) "OTW #481: Wolf Alice", Clash, 26 February 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  4. Empire, Kitty (2013) "Wolf Alice; Mens Adventures; Blackeye; Must – review", The Observer, 13 January 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  5. Amorosi, AD (10 February 2016). "What Is Real?: Wolf Alice". Flood Magazine. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  6. Tinkham, Chris(2015) "Wolf Alice: The Best of What's Next", Paste, 16 June 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015
  7. "Exclusive – Wolf Alice, 'Leaving You'". Nme.Com. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  8. "Wolf Alice in session", BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  9. "Wolf Alice – Bros". Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  10. "Wolf Alice – Bros by Wolf Alice | Free Listening on SoundCloud". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  11. Pain, Andrew. "Preview: Wolf Alice at the Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday 22 May". Gazette Live. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  12. "Wolf Alice: ecco il video ufficiale di She | Radiomusik musica e programmi radio live". Radiomusik.it. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  13. "UK Festival Awards unveil 2014 winners – M Magazine M magazine: PRS for Music online magazine – PRS for Music Online Magazine". M-magazine.co.uk. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  14. Coughlan, Jamie. "Wolf Alice Stream 'Giant Peach', Announce Debut Album 'My Love Is Cool'". Overblown Webzine. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  15. Coughlan, Jamie. "Wolf Alice Share Re-Recorded Version Of 'Bros'". Overblown Webzine.
  16. "Wolf Alice stream new track 'You're A Germ'". Never Enough Notes. Never Enough Notes. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  17. "Wolf Alice to support The 1975 on US tour". DIY. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  18. Lodderhose, Diana (8 September 2016). "Michael Winterbottom's 'On The Road' Added As London Film Fest World Premiere".
  19. "Wolf Alice Speak About Their Upcoming Tour With QOTSA". nova.ie. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  20. Trendell, Andrew (29 March 2018). "Wolf Alice have just been announced to support Liam Gallagher at Finsbury Park, so we talked to them about it". NME. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  21. Savage, Mark (21 September 2018). "Wolf Alice win the 2018 Mercury Prize". BBC News.
  22. Balmont, James "Wolf Alice", Crack. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  23. Burman, Nicholas (2013) "Wolf Alice / The Waiting Room Archived 20 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine", Artrocker. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  24. Wilkinson, Matt (2013) "New Music – Wolf Alice, 'Fluffy'", NME, 4 January 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  25. Petherton, Webbs (2013) "Singles for the week starting 11th February! Archived 15 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine", Artrocker. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  26. Murray, Robin (2013) "Listen: Wolf Alice – White Leather", Clash, 30 January 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  27. Griffin, Angus (2013) "NEW NOISE: Wolf Alice interview Archived 2 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine", Wonderland, 28 February 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013
  28. "Wolf Alice My Love Is Cool review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  29. "webchat - Wolf Alice on the Mercury prize and on-stage marriage proposals". The Guardian. 11 September 2018. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  30. "Wolf Alice". Official Charts Company.
  31. Peak chart positions for albums in Australia:
  32. "Discografie Wolf Alice" (in Dutch). Ultratop.
  33. "Discography Wolf Alice". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  34. "Discografie Wolf Alice". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch).
  35. Peak chart positions for albums in Scotland:
  36. "Discographie Wolf Alice". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  37. "Wolf Alice Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  38. Jones, Alan (6 October 2017). "Official Charts Analysis: Shania Twain takes No. 1 in close battle with Wolf Alice". Music Week. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
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  40. Paine, Andre (21 September 2018). "'We won a Mercury, this is mad!': Post-prize sales surge for Wolf Alice". Music Week. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  41. Peak chart positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
  42. "Wolf Alice Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  43. "Wolf Alice Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  44. Peak chart positions for singles in Scotland:
  45. "Wolf Alice Chart History: Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  46. "Wolf Alice Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  47. "Wolf Alice Chart History: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  48. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 07 April 2013 – 13 April 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  49. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 17 May 2015 – 23 May 2015". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  50. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 19 April 2015 – 25 April 2015". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  51. "Wolf Alice – Chart History: Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  52. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 06 November 2015 – 12 November 2015". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  53. "Wolf Alice - "White Leather". Record Store Day. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  54. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 - 6 October 2017". Official Charts Company. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  55. "Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  56. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 - 3 February 2017". Official Charts Company. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
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  62. "Global Awards 2018 nominations". 9 January 2018.
  63. Gibsone, Harriet (7 December 2015). "Grammy awards 2016: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and the Weeknd lead nominations" – via The Guardian.
  64. "NME Awards 2016: Full Winners List". 17 February 2016.
  65. "Beyoncé leads nominations for the VO5 NME Awards 2017 – voting open now – NME". 12 January 2017.
  66. "Lorde, Kasabian, and Dua Lipa lead VO5 NME Awards 2018 nominations". NME.com. 21 January 2018.
  67. "Wolf Alice, Jamie xx, Skepta nominated for Ivor Novello awards".
  68. Savage, Mark (3 August 2016). "Adele and Radiohead up for indie awards" – via www.bbc.com.
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