Wise Blood

Wise Blood is a relatively unknown producer hailing from Pittsburgh. You may wish to browse him via MySpace, Bandcamp or Blogspot, but what you find will be limited to slim pickings at best. It may seem like an age-old trick now in the music business to keep virtual identity to a minimum, testified by the taster tracks on offer on his Bandcamp, the longest song clocking in at an epic 2.34.

Yet just from listening to Wise Blood’s fuzzy amalgamation of ambling hip-hop beats, samples and a delicate voice, its discernable that this may just be the way he likes it. His music’s lackadaisical pop qualities breathe with a sense of languorous happiness not unlike a certain How To Dress Well, and with a couple of UK dates next week, expect to be hearing a lot more of Wise Blood in the coming months.

Christopher Laufman, a Pittsburgh native who goes by Wise Blood – is parlaying the darkness of those days into something a bit lighter on These Wings. Already stateside, The Fader has wondered if Wiseblood’s first single ‘Solo (4 Claire’) was recorded in an ‘old-timey saloon,’ Pitchfork has given him its ‘Rising’ title, Stereogum has dubbed him a "cemetery worker/warped bedroom-pop alchemist" and fashion icon Daphne Guinness has given her stamp of approval as the star in a video for ‘B.I.G. E.G.O’.

WHAT'S…

...your party trick?
Acting mysterious and asking people if they know who Wise Blood is. It always works.

...your worst vice?
Alcohol has done me in recently, it's better than the alternative though. Had a break down in D.C., since then I've been on the straight and narrow.

…the story behind your name?
It was given to me by my Father and Grandfather. A bunch of kids in my neighborhood threw around the name "youngblood". I was always told to remind people that I was as old as the earth.

... your favourite sound?
Right now, organic acoustic sounds, pan flutes. Don't like synth sounds, unless its low end and it makes you feel sinister.

...your worst fashion secret?
I love the Gap, they have the best pants in the game right now. I just got a Gap card.

...your favourite website?
Dem Jawns by Borna Sammak. Check it out. Visuals have been more inspiring to me recently then music. It kind of goes in cycles like that for me.

... good for breakfast?
Steak and Eggs, I really don't like breakfast foods very much.

...the best thing about where you're from?
Teenie Harris. Awesome black photographer who worked for the Pittsburgh Courier in the early 20th century. Inspired.

...at the top of your shit list?
Pittsburgh music scene. It's run by some dopes. There are some good people doing stuff and it might just be because i don't hang out with anyone but it doesn't seem like a next level community.

...are you listening to now?
Zomby, Vincent Gallo, EZ.