The Rise of Wallows

Wallows brings vibrancy and energy into an often monotonous musical landscape through their breezy indie pop and rock styles. No wonder that childhood friends Braeden Lemasters, Dylan Minnette and Cole Preston are finding so much success as Wallows!

Nothing Happens marked them as an act to watch; now with Model, they provide an array of unforgettable summer songs.

What is Wallows?

Wallows are an American rock band comprised of Dylan Minnette from Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston. After debuting independently in 2017 with their single Pleaser, they eventually signed with Atlantic Records in 2019 and released their debut studio album Nothing Happens the following year.

John Congleton produced their new LP, as he did Spring and Remote extended plays, helping them relax some of their anxious tendencies to create an uplifting LP sure to become a hit with listeners.

Opening act Claire Chicha got the crowd moving with her mix of relaxed aesthetics and relatable lyrics. Unfortunately, during one up-tempo track “Marvelous,” she accidentally mixed up some lyrics and had to restart it – although her fans were thankful she took the time to correct herself!

Who are the members of Wallows?

Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston first made an impactful musical statement with their 2017 single “Pleaser”, a surf-tinged tune which called back to early 2000s alt heroes such as Vampire Weekend and the Strokes. Following that success they soon earned an Atlantic Records contract and released their 2018 EP Spring (featuring hit single “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring Clairo). Selling out West Coast venues along the way and garnering coverage from TIME and Stereogum were just amongst many achievements achieved within months!

Minnette has enjoyed success acting on shows such as Men of a Certain Age and Betrayal; Lemasters can be seen on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why–but music remains their focus. On their forthcoming album Model produced by Grammy Award-winner John Congleton (St Vincent, Alvvays), they let go of some of their more anxious tendencies for what they believe to be their most joyful work to date and feel will resonate with fans.

How did Wallows get started?

Wallows have found success through Dylan Minnette, star of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why series. His recognition has allowed Wallows to make waves in their music scene.

Braeden Lemasters, Cole Preston and Minnette first began making music together as teens. Releasing songs under various group names before finally settling on Wallows in 2017, their first single “Pleaser” reached #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 chart and propelled the trio into prominence.

Wallows are currently working hard on their debut LP, Tell Me That It’s Over, while simultaneously gearing up to perform at major festivals worldwide. While preparing their album release date and headlining shows around the globe, they took some time to reflect upon their journey thus far and share advice they would offer aspiring artists – check out this video above to hear their opinions!

What makes Wallows unique?

After forming the band as part of a school music program, Wallows began performing under different group names before taking to the road with their debut EP Spring and eventually appearing on Vans Warped Tour 2019’s Ernie Ball Stage.

Nothing Happens is Wallows’ debut album and perfectly captures the melancholy and bustle of youth. One of the most captivating acts in indie rock, they combine irresistible melodies with diverse vocalists and dynamic instrumentation into captivating performances that capture its unique sound.

Not despite their young band membership, Tell Me That It’s Over displays their impressive lofi alternative music talent. Their latest LP showcases this with synths used to elicit emotion and provide a nostalgic feeling without being saccharine. Their album closes out with Guitar Romantic Search Adventure; an astral outro that mixes electronic sounds and synths with more traditional guitar and piano moments for an unforgettable listening experience that immerses you into every word on this record.