Melbourne’s local production darling 17-year old Gab Strum AKA Japanese Wallpaper is set to release his self-titled debut EP this coming June on Zero Through Nine. A headline tour will follow the release, all in time for the youngster to finish studying for his final high school exams.
The EP chronicles Strum’s progression as both a producer and a songwriter/arranger over the past 18 months, featuring earlier tracks such as the gentle yet sublime “Breathe In (ft. Wafia)” and evolving through to uplifting celebrations such as “Forces (ft. Pepa Knight)” with ethereal and superbly arranged lashings of layered harmonies.
As well as receiving praise from industry luminaries such as Gotye and Lorde, Japanese Wallpaper has impressed the Australian press, from winning Triple J Unearthed High to receiving acclaimed feedback from the hottest publications. “With his intricate and understated layering, ethereal melodies and catchy tunes it’s easy to see how young gun Gab Strum soared to [glory]”. – MusicFeed
To celebrate the EP launch in June Japanese Wallpaper will be conducting a string of highly anticipated shows along the east coast, featuring a number of guest vocalists. But what does the future hold for this young emerging prodigy? Beyond the oncoming EP release, headline tour and finishing his highschool exams, Strum foresees a full-length studio album in his future, and dreams of singing on his own record: “I have this image of next year, getting a studio space and writing an album and not being full of self-doubt when it’s finished”.
‘Japanese Wallpaper EP’ is out both digitally and on vinyl Thursday, June 18 on Zero Through Nine via Inertia.
