When the world paused in 2020, many of us sought solace in quiet routines. For Auckland-based multi-instrumentalist Logan Wedgwood, it meant picking up a guitar, and in doing so, reigniting a lifelong passion that had long been set aside. What began as a coping mechanism during lockdown has since blossomed into Sounds Escape, Logan’s immersive instrumental outlet where emotion takes centre stage and words become unnecessary.
Now, he returns with 'Electric Love', a stunning new album that turns solitude into sonic storytelling. Anchored by standout track 'Exploding Stars', the record is a rich tapestry of tension and release as cinematic as it is intimate. Across its runtime, Logan crafts moments that feel vast and explosive one minute, soft and searching the next. From sparse guitar lines to layered orchestrations, every element is meticulously placed yet instinctively felt.
So with the new album available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Drums – my grandfather played me an old record of Gene Krupa playing “Sing sin sing” and I just loved the thundering jungle drums sounding playing on the floor toms. You can hear a lot of this influence in my playing and breakdowns.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Pop music – as a kis I loved Michael Jackon Bad and the Dangerous album. When I was a teenager it was Nirvana and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Bad – Michael Jackson.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
If I have to choose an artist I would go with Third Eye Blind, I wish I was as poetic as they are. Not their rock songs. Their ballads. They are just stunning image inducing songs and the guitar work is always beautiful without taking over. The drummer is amazing. So if I HAVE to pick only one song – I would go with “How’s it gonna be” (When you don’t know me).
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Usually I write new ideas in two ways – either at night with a beer and my loop pedal and just exploring sounds. Or often (exploding stars was written this way) sitting in the sun at the beach and just noodling on a guitar. I always end up catching a draft of the idea on my loop pedal and explore layering different sounds and instruments with the loop before going into the studio to record proper scratch tracks to record to.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, Oceans, Cannons – and I always go back to old stuff. Third eye blind, Rolling Stones, Guns and Roses are regulars at the moment. I am also loving learning Dominic Miller's solo stuff on acoustic.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I don’t think my music would get a crowd energised for someone worth seeing haha. I don’t really know. I would rather play drums with them! I would love to play drums with any artist that would have me. Especially the newer pop artists that don’t have drummers – I could really bring the drums alive.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Creating music from nothing and hearing it played back. It is a really special feeling.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Music Theory! I fucking hate it, I’m no good at it, I try and try and my brain just doesn’t get it. I genuinely can’t tell you what key my songs are written in, most of the time there is a chord that isn’t in key (but for some reason works) and I often can hear in my head a note or a chord I want to go to but don’t know how to find it so I go fret by fret, string by string until I find it. Writing my songs is a long slow process on the guitar. They come together quite quickly once I am ready to record.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Practice slow. Practice scale shapes (so your ear gets familiar). And play what you love playing. You can really lose yourself for hours practicing without realising it when you are playing what you love. When you are just playing scales or theory it can make a short practice feel like forever…
-
Sounds Escape's new album 'Electric Love' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.