On the heels of his latest release, Pumpkin Pi, London-based singer-songwriter Adam Wedd writes a love letter to the pop-punk spirit of autumn. The six-track work is full of tales of resilience, nostalgia, and the quirky turns that life’s messier moments take. Known by his DIY ethos and heartfelt performances, Adam takes listeners on a whirlwind journey across New York, Los Angeles, and London-all while intertwining the influences of Weezer, Blink-182, and Frank Turner in a fluid manner.
The EP opener, Holiday in My Mind, co-written with Vedantha Kumar in the basement of Camden’s Greennote just before a gig, really does show the carefree nature of daydreams and yearning to be elsewhere-perfectly kicking off this autumn-inspired journey. Inescapably warm, it feels like your cosy autumn sweater, while being replaced by the inviting vocals and infectious melodies of Wedd.
Next up is SLAY-the anthem for any fan of the cult ’90s favourite Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By incorporating 25 of the episode titles cleverly into his lyrics, Adam has created both a nostalgic and invigorating tune with a pulsating beat and a knowing wink to the fans. The result is pure pop-punk magic, brimming with energy and a knowing smile, recorded between Los Angeles and London with the assistance of his friend Marc Solomon.
Fight or Flight turns up the heat with a raw look at emotional resilience. Following a late-night catch-up with a friend in New York, the lyrics flowed freely from Adam as he captured the tight rope walked between standing your ground and walking away. Guitars tracked by Ken Abel, additional production spanning multiple cities-the song makes good on the EP’s theme of pushing forward, no matter the distance or difficulty.
Pink Dinosaurs were more tender in tone; it’s a piece, an ode to the intricacies of fatherhood and love. Starting from personal experiences, Adam talks about relationships and child-rearing post-divorce. It’s one of those songs that literally hits home-the chorus, an unsaid promise that no matter the chaos, love finds a way. It was this soulful track that even won a late-night call with Danny from The Script, who commended its depth-a well-written nod to its universal appeal.
Wont Ya is another one of those songs that virtually wrote itself. Adam wrote it in five minutes, channelling the frustration of current events, and a feeling certain things just needed to be shouted out loud. It’s a bit cheeky-a little bit of rebellion-and an ideal reminder of the punk spirit running through Pumpkin Pi.
Closing out the EP, My Own Best Friend (Is Me) brings us full circle with an introspective look at self-love and moving on after a heartbreak. Penned after the end of a three-year relationship, Adam has captured the melancholy associated with letting go, laced with the hopeful reminder that sometimes the best friend you may have is yourself. This track is set for an even bigger production in the coming months, as he plans to release it as a fully-produced single.
From evictions to the loss of jobs, Pumpkin Pi had its fair share of setbacks, but the resilience of Adam shines through. Mastered at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, this EP is both polished and real-one more testament to the journey that Adam has been on-as an artist who has weathered life’s ups and downs with a guitar in hand and a story ready to be told.
If you’re looking for the soundtrack to fall’s cosy and reflective nights-and its brisk, energy-filled days, then Pumpkin Pi is it. The latest from Adam Wedd, it is an endearing collection capturing the ethos of pop-punk with a mature, heartfelt twist. Whether you’re a long time fan or new to the music, Pumpkin Pi is bound to leave you feeling like you’ve just caught up with an old friend who knows exactly how to make you laugh, cry, and sing along.
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You can listen to “Pumpkin Pi” below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.