Indie pop artist Wallice reflects on fame in her debut album ‘The Jester’ following her massive success of her debut EP and touring with the 1975.
In 2023, Wallice played to the biggest crowds of her life. Stadiums full of people, but most of them simply waiting for her performance to be over. The indie pop/rock artist opened for The 1975’s world tour last year. It was an amazing opportunity, but the crowd wasn’t there for her. As she explains in the album’s first track “The Opener,” someone even spilled a beer on her while she performed.
Following in the style of her previous EPs 90s American Superstar and Mr. Big Shot, Wallice takes on a new persona in her debut album: The Jester. Starting with the lyric “a jester in another life” from her song “Heaven Has to Happen,” Wallice built this new project around her growing fame and uneasy turn in the spotlight. A clown puts on makeup, a special outfit, and performs on stage for the crowd- much like a musician. Both are there to entertain.
The album is a great mix of genres and sounds. It goes from more acoustic, mellow tracks like “The Opener” to the electric “Look at Me” and the grungy “Sickness.” The upbeat “Clown Like Me,” even features Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist from The Strokes.
Wallice takes the time to reflect on herself with this album, from serious insights to more tongue-in-cheek moments like on “The Hardest Working Man Alive.” The track chronicles some of the difficulties of being a musician, but as Wallice’s dry humor suggests, it isn’t all that bad in the grand scheme of things.
Accompanying the album are some incredible music videos. Though Wallice is based in Los Angeles, she connected with Texan filmmaker Vanessa Pla to create visuals for “The Opener and “Heaven Has to Happen.” Both videos have a nostalgic feel, shooting on film and using props and sets that feel pulled from a stage play. There are some really interesting and creative shots, such as sand pouring through Wallice’s hand and turning into falling snow in “The Opener.”
The singer closes the album with a waltz. “Heaven Has to Happen,” may be the album’s climax, but “Curtains to Close” is the outro. As the stage show comes to an end, Wallice says goodbye: “hope that you enjoyed the show.”
I am an Austin, TX based filmmaker and photographer. I moved from Houston to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated in 2022. I'm a lifelong music lover and spend most of my weekends attending shows. Some recent favorites are K. Flay, Devon Again, and Farmer's Wife. Other than that, I enjoy reading, writing, playing volleyball, yoga, and gaming.
