Eight years on from performing at RMH with his previous band Let’s Wrestle, the sensational Wesley Gonzalez returns with his charming and self-deprecating take on 80s synth-pop!
Utterly wonderful music. This will be a treat and a half.
“Wesley Gonzalez thrives amongst dense layers of buoyant bass riffs, jaunty piano melodies and stunning sax solos. Yes, appalling people are all around us, but at least we have these invigorating songs to fill our ears” – The Quietus
British singer/songwriter Wesley Gonzalez first made a name for himself as the enigmatic leader of Let’s Wrestle, a sharp-witted London trio whose tuneful and eccentric punk earned critical accolades and a devoted audience. They earned a somewhat fiery reputation both as a wily live band and for their three LPs, ‘In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s’ (2009), ‘Nursing Home’ (2011), and ‘Let’s Wrestle’ (2014). Over the course of their ten-year run, the band achieved moderate commercial success, but earned the distinction as a reliable critic’s fave but decided to call it a day, playing a final show at London’s 100 Club in 2015.
After disbanding the group, Gonzalez wasted little time forging a solo career for himself in the wake of his former band’s demise. He assembled a live band for his solo work that included Euan Hinshelwood from Younghusband and Meilyr Jones. Expanding from the guitar-driven music of his former band, he fielded an interesting concoction of classic ’70s-influenced pop, soul, and indie rock, which he described as being influenced by Donny Hathaway and Sly & the Family Stone. Gonzalez released his debut solo record ‘Excellent Musician’ in 2017 and follow-up LP ‘Appalling Human’ arrived three years later in June 2020 through Moshi Moshi Records. 2021 will see the release of new music including a third studio album.
“It’s a testament to Gonzalez that after a dozen numbers we know far too much about him but still crave more” – UNCUT
“There’s a certain eccentricity running throughout the album which brings to mind single-minded auteurs like Harry Nilsson and more recently Car Seat Headrest” – Backseat Mafia
“Former Let’s Wrestle frontman Wesley Gonzalez works himself into a smart-pop frenzy” – All Music
