For Wes Parker, sounds interlock like puzzle pieces. A ruddy guitar riff might click next to a broken piano melody, or a hauntingly angelic vocal could mesh just right with an off-kilter chord progression and D.I.Y. beat. All of these elements fit together in order to paint the personal portrait depicted in his music. It’s almost like he’s a mad scientist in his home studio, architecting poetically primal alternative rock that could’ve appeared in the MTV Buzz Bin back in the day or would make for a fiery sunset set at Coachella. The Richmond native grew up as the youngest of four kids with two older brothers and a sister. Mom bought a copy of Green Day’s American Idiot from PACSUN for him, and it proved life-changing. He honed his skills as a songwriter and producer and also devoured classics from the likes of Muse, Radiohead, and more. He dropped out of college after one semester and co-founded the band Camp Howard alongside a cohort of childhood friends. The band saw some success on DSPs and the road, touring with everyone from Stone Temple Pilots to Backseat Lovers. Though the group eventually parted ways, Wes continued to write and record on his own. After quitting a day job, he dropped his first solo single “Why Won’t You Pick Up The Phone?” in February 2024 followed by “Annie Moore” and “Tattoo.” Gaining momentum, he ignited 2025 with the Splinter EP applauded by VPM and more. Signing to Big Machine in 2025, he emerges as just the alchemist rock music needs with his Fantom EP, presenting an arresting perspective on the devil’s downfall over a cinematic soundscape threaded together by eerie piano, glitchy beats, off-kilter guitar, and transfixing vocal transmissions.
