Inside the Mind of WIM: An Exclusive Look at his Solo Journey, Revealing the Inspiration Behind "Mr. Feelgood" and Hinting at What's Next.
By. Alicia Zamora
A Conversation with WIM
Alicia: Your music journey has been quite the eventful one, can you tell me where it all began and what made you go with the music path?
WIM: Absolutely! My music journey began when I was quite young, growing up in Bangkok. Surrounded by diverse sounds and cultures, I quickly developed a passion for music. I started learning different instruments and experimenting with various genres, which eventually led me to form HYBS. HYBS was a major milestone, and now, as WIM, I’m excited to explore new sounds and continue my journey.
Alicia: With the start of your new journey as a Solo artist are there any worries or struggles that you faced?
WIM: Transitioning to a solo artist has been an exciting adventure. Embracing the challenges of this new introspective query as WIM has been incredibly rewarding. It’s fun to have complete creative freedom and explore new sounds and ideas. While there are always uncertainties, the journey of self-discovery and artistic growth has been exhilarating.
Alicia: With the new release of “Mr. Feelgood” what was the inspiration behind it?
WIM: "Mr. Feelgood" was inspired by the idea of bringing some much-needed positivity and sunshine into our lives. The song channels a unique blend of whimsical colors and summer vibes, with a touch of sarcastic positivity. It's about standing up against the everyday negativities and finding joy in the little things. I wanted to create a track that makes people smile and feel good, no matter what they’re going through.
Alicia: With this new release did you have any difficulties when it came to recording or creating the track?
WIM: Creating "Mr. Feelgood" was a blast, but like any creative process, it came with its challenges. The main difficulty was keeping the upbeat, feel-good vibes while also maintaining a soothing and relaxing aspect of the song. It was all about finding the right balance to ensure the track resonated with listeners on multiple levels. Overall, it was a fun and rewarding experience.
Alicia: Did you know that becoming an artist was something you always wanted to do?
WIM:Initially, I gained recognition through acting, but deep down, music was always my true passion. The desire to craft my own unique sound constantly pulled me towards the music path. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was something I aspired to do. That craving to create and share my own kind of sound is what ultimately steered me toward a music career.
Alicia: What first got you into making music and singing?
WIM: Singing and playing instruments have always been a part of my life since I was young. Over time, I entered a singing competition and ended up winning, which was a pivotal moment for me. It made me realize just how much I loved music. It's been about taking those early experiences and shaping them into my own unique sound. Music has always been my way of expressing myself and connecting with others.
Alicia: When it comes down to musical inspirations, do you have any group or artist that you get inspiration from?
WIM: Absolutely! I draw inspiration from a mix of artists and genres. I love the creativity and innovation of artists who push boundaries and experiment with new sounds. For instance, the creativity of Tyler, the Creator always amazes me. His ability to blend different sounds and push boundaries is something I admire. Also, bands like Tame Impala with their psychedelic vibes and innovative production techniques inspire me to experiment and have fun with my music. It's all about finding those sparks of creativity from various sources and making them my own.
WIM: It's not just one group or artist; it's the whole spectrum of music that fuels my creativity. Whether it’s the psychedelic vibes of Tame Impala, the storytelling of Bon Iver, or the eclectic sounds of alternative and indie artists, I’m always finding new sparks of inspiration to incorporate into my music.
Alicia: How long does it usually take you to write a song?
WIM: It really varies! Sometimes, a song comes together in just a few hours when I'm in the zone and everything clicks. Other times, it can take weeks to fine-tune the lyrics and melody until I'm happy with it. I enjoy the process of letting the ideas flow naturally and not rushing it. Each song has its own journey, and that's part of the fun!
Alicia: When it comes down to goals as an artist, what would you say your goals are for this year and the future?
WIM: This year, my main goals are to release more music that truly reflects who I am as an artist and to connect with my fans on a deeper level through live performances. I’m excited to experiment with new sounds and push my creative boundaries. Looking ahead, I see myself collaborating with other artists, exploring different genres, and continuing to evolve my musical journey. It’s all about growth and creating music that resonates with people.
Alicia: As an artist, what would you say has been a highlight of your journey so far?
WIM: One of the highlights of my journey so far as WIM has been my debut show in Taipei.
The energy from the crowd was amazing, and there was that moment when I split the crowd into left and right sections and had them sing different parts of "Mr. Feelgood" in unison. It was amazing to hear everyone come together like that, creating that beautiful harmony!
Alicia: When creating music, what does the process look like for you?
WIM: It usually starts with a spark of inspiration—sometimes it’s a melody that pops into my head, other times it’s a rhythm or a lyric that captures a feeling. I love to experiment with different instruments and sounds, layering elements to see how they fit together. I try to let the process flow naturally and not overthink it. The goal is to capture the emotion and vibe I’m feeling and translate it into the music. It’s kinda like a mix of spontaneous creativity and thoughtful refinement, and it’s always a fun journey from start to finish.
Alicia: Diving deeper into the creative process, what would you say is the hardest part of creating music for you, and how long does it usually take you to write a song?
WIM: Most of the time, I let the process unfold naturally. Sometimes, you have to try a lot of different combinations before it clicks. As for how long it takes to write a song, it really varies. Some songs come together in just a few hours when I’m in the zone and everything flows smoothly. Others can take weeks to perfect, with lots of tweaking and fine-tuning along the way.
Alicia: For future work, is there any artist you would like to collaborate with or have on one of your next albums?
WIM: There are so many amazing artists out there that I would love to jam with. I’m always open to new collaborations and exploring different sounds together. No doors are closed, and I’m excited to see what musical magic we can create!
Alicia: After the drop of this single, can we expect any new things coming anytime soon?
WIM: You guys can definitely expect more music with fresh musical palettes from me as we go through this year. Eventually, there will be my debut album too. I'm super excited to share all this new music with you! Stay tuned for more updates!
Alicia: With the interview coming to an end, I wanted to say thank you for letting me interview you and I wanted to ask about future plans. Do you see yourself releasing more music, working on new projects, or just taking time for yourself?
WIM: Thank you so much for having me! I already took a little break when HYBS ended, and now I'm fully recharged and ready to connect with you guys all over the world again. Me and my team are working really hard to release more music for you guys. Hang tight, there's a lot more coming your way :)