Wakelee didn’t fit New York scene so they built their own
The journey of Wakelee, a band forged in Brooklyn in 2019, is a masterclass in how finding your voice often requires a detour. Formed by Alex Bulmer and his twin brother David Bulmer, and bassist Elliot Shiang, the trio first connected over a shared love for indie and emo acts like Macseal and Modest Mouse. The name itself came from Wakelee Field, a local park their family frequented, setting an early, grounded tone for their music.
While they successfully self-released a debut album, their initial path felt somewhat solitary. Despite their tuneful amalgamation of indie rock and emo, Wakelee struggled to find a comfortable place within New York’s local music scene, which, at the time, favored garage rock or ’70s revival sounds rather than the emo aesthetic they embraced.
The shift began when the band decided to look beyond their hometown. It wasn’t until they started touring outside the familiar scene that they discovered the community they truly belonged to. This pivotal moment was catalyzed by their 2024 single “Criminal,” produced by Zach Aumueller, which provided a cleaner, sharper sound and a much-needed focus. This single, complete with trumpet flourishes, helped sharpen the band’s identity, reinforcing Alex’s sentiment that to release a song, everyone involved needs to be genuinely excited about it.
This new mentality propelled them into action. They channeled this energy into the Doghouse EP and launched a DIY tour, building momentum by releasing music videos throughout a full year. Suddenly, Wakelee caught the eye of industry players like Hot Mulligan and Jason Parent, leading to a whirlwind succession of opening slots on major emo tours, including Arm’s Length, Oakwood, and Free Throw.
This touring success led to a major career pivot. In pursuit of a broader platform, Wakelee signed with Wax Bodega, a label known for being artist-friendly and focused on developing talent rather than just managing legacy acts. This move connected them with a cohort of established bands, including Hot Mulligan and Free Throw, fostering a supportive community that felt profoundly validating.
The sophomore album, Under Construction Forever, emerged from this energized environment, taking a decidedly more energetic, pop-punk-oriented turn. The music is raw, explosive, and built for the stage, inspired by the desire to create songs that are not just heard, but physically felt. Lyrically, the album dives deep into the catharsis of communication breakdown—grappling with anger and confusion stemming from personal relationships. Wakelee transformed those intense emotions into explosive emo anthems, proving that the best music often comes from processing the messiest parts of life.
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