Paul Martin Wold, aka Wishful Thinking, was born on the island of Kauai, Hawaii in 1988 but spent most of his childhood in Olympia, Washington. Growing up in this town at this time he had an unprecedented childhood experience: being amidst one of the most significant indie rock scenes there ever was. His father, Steve Wold (better known these days as Seasick Steve), ran Moon Studios there, and Paul Martin was exposed to music at its purest and rawest from an early age, as bands such as Modest Mouse, 764 Hero, Fitz of Depression, and Murder City Devils passed through.

In 2001, at the age of 12, Wold moved with his family to Norway, where his mother is originally from. Dabbling in ‘song-writing’ since the age of 6, and experimenting with ‘band-mates’ in his early teens, Wishful Thinking was born when Paul Martin Wold was 16. This was when he realised his own brand of introspective melancholia called for no more than his voice and a guitar. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith and eventually Nick Drake and Neutral Milk Hotel, Wold played small gigs in the town he was living in, eventually moving to Oslo when boredom set in. In 2007 - ennui creeping up on him again - he was lured to London, joining his father’s touring band and continuing to explore his own music.

A WASTE OF TIME SPENT is his debut album and like so many excellent albums, takes a few plays to appreciate just how good it is. If you like unadorned melancholia; acoustic sound at its purist; and intense introspection, then this album is for you. Following a brief introduction when you hear someone walk into a room and dial a phone number, the first song, ‘The Truth’, wanders into vision. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a reflective song, performed in such a stripped-down manner. The guitar and vocal travel along at glacial pace, with the most subtle of brushed drums just about audible in the background. As the song progresses, the sound level lifts with drums becoming far more assertive, and the vocal more passionate. Wold’s voice is fragile, natural and compelling. However, I struggled to hear the lyrics which are so important in this young man’s music. ‘On & Off’ is the standout track here. The melody is stronger, the sounds more vibrant, the lyrics audible, and the middle segment crescendo of vocal, guitar and drums is magical. ‘This Song Doesn’t Have A Name’ is a track about wasted time, boredom, the morning after, and lost love, played out in country style. Wold quite cleverly sings in a voice that sounds like it’s under the influence…

‘From Home’ sounds as though it’s been recorded on a 4-track in the garden shed - raw and earthy. ‘What You Got’ is another album highlight with its stark piano backdrop, hushed vocal and strong melody. ‘Whisky Ballad’ sounds like another homemade recording with a distant vocal, rough-hewn guitar and a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels close by… ‘Hours Late’ adds the mournful, wandering tones of a violin, to one the most contemplative vocals on the album. Final track, ‘Clean Escape’, is another highlight with its slowly plucked guitar, soaring vocal, and orchestral strings creating the most moving ambience.

This is music and emotion in its rawest and most intense state. In fact there were points in the album when I wanted to hug the guy and say, ‘Hey, it’s gonna be alright…,’ which says an awful lot about this album.

4/5

Released on his own imprint, We Make Mistakes, on November 2nd, Wishful Thinking will showcase a selection from the album whilst touring the UK with Seasick Steve on these dates:

November

2 Newcastle City Hall
3 Edinburgh Picture House
5 Leeds Academy
7 Liverpool Olympia
9 Manchester Apollo
10 Birmingham O2 Academy
12 Cardiff Millenium Centre
13 Warwick Arts Centre
15 Cambridge Corn Exchange
17 Brixton O2 Academy