Tucker Wetmore Talks Making ‘Waves On A Sunset’ With Debut EP [Interview]
Tucker Wetmore made a big splash in the sea of country music with Gold-certified singles “Wine Into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” earning over 400 million streams in six months, and has continued to swim toward success.
After supporting Kameron Marlowe‘s “Strangers Tour” earlier this year, he signed with UMG Nashville’s EMI Records imprint in partnership with Back Blocks Music and had fans swarming the Hard Rock Stage during his CMA Fest performance. Wetmore then had two tracks featured on the Twisters soundtrack, “Already Had It” and “Steal My Thunder (with Conner Smith),” and stepped into the Grand Ole Opry circle for the first time before hitting the road on Luke Bryan‘s 15th annual “Farm Tour.”
Last week, he released his debut EP, Waves On A Sunset, and embarked on his inaugural headlining run of the same name. Wetmore recently spoke with MusicRow about the new project and the evolution of his artistry thus far.
Since moving in Nashville in 2020, the Kalama, Washington native has been working to consistently improve his writing skills, approaching his craft with the same mindset with which he approached sports growing up, while developing a sound that truly reflects his individual style.
“If you want to be better, you have to practice. So that’s what I’ve been doing for the past five years of my life—writing, writing, writing,” says Wetmore. “I make the kind of music that I would want to listen to and that excites me.”
Serving as a co-writer five of the EP’s eight tracks, including opening number and latest single “Silverado Blue,” he often starts by finding a melody that he can pour his personal experience into.
“It’s hard for me to write lyrics if there isn’t a melody, that’s just how my brain works. But there are times where I’ll bring in an idea and [my collaborators] will help me work through that. It just depends on the day and the writers,” Wetmore notes. “Songwriting is storytelling, so sometimes you pull inspiration from things that you’ve seen or heard that didn’t necessary happen to you. But, for the most part, I draw from my own experience so that I can relate to [the song] and make it into something that others can relate to as well.”
Waves On A Sunset also features three outside cuts: “Break First,” “When I Ain’t Lookin'” and “Mister Miss Her.” He recalls a phone call he had with Michael Tyler while in the studio, during which Tyler shared that he, Matt Roy, Lauren Hungate and Matt Dragstrem had a song he thought would be perfect for Wetmore. At first listen, the artist fell in love with the tune, which turned out to be “Break First,” and ended up recording it that same day. This week, he unveiled its accompanying visual.
“These are songs written by my buddies that I’m proud of,” says Wetmore. “That’s what Nashville is about—bringing up others with you, especially your friends. I’m a firm believe in the community that Nashville has to offer. I’m not afraid to cut an outside song, especially if I’m proud of my buddies for writing it.”
When it comes to taking his music to the stage, he takes advantage of every opportunity possible to learn from the established entertainers he’s joined on tour.
“It’s truly inspiring to watch how they carry themselves and interact with others. I’m just a sponge who’s here to absorb as much as I can, and that’s something I’ll continue to do. The best advice I’ve gotten is to just show up. We all have our bad days and personal things come up, but it’s so important to show up and give it your all every single day because it isn’t just about you.”
Wetmore hopes to whet fans’ appetites with Waves On A Sunset, because he’s just getting started.
“What I want people to take away from this EP is the excitement for more. This is me introducing himself, and it was really hard to pick eight songs because I have more to say. We’re just scratching the surface.”
Waves On A Sunset Track Listing:
1. “Silverado Blue” (Tucker Wetmore, Brett Sheroky, Dan Wilson)
2. “Wine Into Whiskey” (Tucker Wetmore, Jacob Hackworth, Justin Ebach)
3. “You, Honey” (Tucker Wetmore, Josh Thompson, Michael Lotten)
4. “Wind Up Missin’ You” ( Tucker Wetmore, Thomas Archer, Chris LaCorte)
5. “Break First” (Michael Tyler, Matt Roy, Lauren Hungate, Matt Dragstrem)
6. “When I Ain’t Lookin’” (Austin Goodloe, Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler, Tucker Beathard)
7. “What Would You Do?” (Tucker Wetmore, Gabe Foust, Jacob Hackworth, Jaxson Free)
8. “Mister Miss Her” (Blake Pendergrass, Jaxson Free, Chris LaCorte)
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