Introducing WSTRN: "Playing live is the best feeling"

This week sees the Official Charts After Party tour in association with New Look kicking off at Teesside University, and appearing on the bill are west London group WSTRN.

With their debut single In2 available this week, and a series of live shows coming up, we thought it was time we all got to know WSTRN a little better.

Meet Akelle, Haile and Louis who, together, are WSTRN.

Hi guys! For people who aren’t familiar with you, tell us a bit about the group…

Akelle: "I’m cousins with Haile, so we’ve known each other all our lives and played music and created music together since I can remember, and we wrote a track and asked Louis to feature on it."

Haile: "Yeah, I was producing the track and we got Louis on it."

Louis: "Then we ended up in the studio together one night again and that was when we made In2 and we thought 'Wow, if this is just from our first session, there is something special here!'"

Where does the name WSTRN come from?

Louis: "WSTRN comes from, most obviously, because we are all from West London but also because it’s West’s TURN to shut down the scene and take over!"  

Akelle: "Yeah, it was important that we represented West but also that we could act as spokespersons for those coming up from the streets too."

Who are your musical influences? 

Louis: "It sounds funny but my mum influenced my music, despite not being musical; She always played stuff like Luther Vandross, Evelyn King, that sort of music in the car – I listen to that now, it’s timeless."  

Haile: "Loads, I could write the longest list. Future, Drake, Rae Sremmard, Jay Z and old school stuff like Brandy."

Akelle: "Yeah same, what they said haha! Bob Marley too!"

Louis: "Yeah Bob Marley, definitely!"

MORE: Win tickets to the Official Charts After Party

Your new single In2 has entered the Top 100 already, and it isn’t even out yet! How does that feel?

Akelle (to Louis): "Does it feel like a dream still Louis? (laughs) He always says ‘this is a dream’ as each good thing happens along this journey."

Louis: “Yeah, it’s taking some time to get used to! We’re loving it though!”

Haile: “It’s maaaaaad!”

When you made the song did you know it was going to be a hit?

Haile:  “I think we knew it was special because it’s just a track that you can listen to in the club but also if you’re at home – it’s versatile”

Akelle: “Yeah, everyone we played to early on loved it!”

Louis: “We knew it had that feelgood effect, it makes you feel good!” 

We saw Rita Ora snapchatted herself dancing to In2, have you got any other famous fans?

Akelle: “Lily Allen came to one of our first ever gigs together in Dalston!” 

Haile: “As you've probably seen, Chip, Wretch & Geko are on the remix! Check out the video!”

Louis: “I guess the radio people choosing to play it! They’re famous right, ha?!”

Who would you love to collaborate with?

Akelle: “We were all saying yesterday, Kehlani – she is on our wave! She’s actually signed to Atlantic in America…”

Louis: “Yeah Kehlani, if you’re reading this! Haha”

Haile:  “Drake or Wiz Khalifa too!"

Akelle, your brother Angel is a Top 10 regular, is there any sibling rivalry?

Akelle: “Nah not really, he’s just supportive and gives me advice – it’s cool because he knows the industry!”

You’ll be playing the first ever Official Charts After Party on Friday, are you excited?

Louis: “Definitely, we’re fans of Melissa and Karen too so it should be a good night.”

Akelle:  “Looking forward to shutting the whole place down!”

 

What’s your favourite thing about playing live?

Akelle: “It’s the feeling of everyone having a good time, it’s the best feeling!”

Louis: “Yeah, when you see everyone dancing and enjoying your music” 

Haile: “It’s been sick hearing people sing our song back at us – that’s been happening more often and every time it’s felt strange!”

And your single is out in the UK on the same day, have you got anything special planned?

Louis: “It’ll be fun telling the audience that they can go grab our single NOW!”

Akelle: "Yeah, just enjoying the performance and maybe a few drinks after – we’ve actually got a gig the next night too so can’t go crazy!"

Haile: “Yeah, our schedule is maaaddd! We’re loving it!” 

MORE: Get all the latest Official Charts After Party news