[bar String / 스트링바] 워킹애프터유 'Walking After U' 일본 앨범 발매 기념 투어 (광양, 순천, 여수 인디 밴드 라이브 공연, 광양 중마동 바, 전남 클럽 공연) ROCK BAND, Gwangyang music bar

Walking After U, 2014~2015년 눈부신 해외 활동으로 드디어 전세계 2위 음반시장인 일본에서 정규 1집을 공식 발매하게 되었습니다. 현재 대한민국 록 밴드중 일본에서 가장 주목하고 있는 워킹애프터유!  2015년 마지막 광양 공연을 12월 5일에 스트링에서 합니다. 오시면 절대 후회!!! 없습니다!!!!

Biography

What is the buzz about female quartet Walking After U?

Even before the band released its debut album on September 20, 2014, Walking After U received much attention from the media, critics, and fans alike for representing the power of women in the local rock scene. First introduced through the “Girls’ Rock Festival”, which was an effort by local concert promoters to expand and promote Korean female rock bands to a broader audience, Walking After U has since held numerous concerts and live shows.

The origin of the band goes back to the merger of two influential girl bands who were regular performers at the Girls’ Rock Festival; Rubber Duckie and Swings. Rubber Duckie was a group led by technical guitarist Jia Song in the early 2000s. The posh style of the band was well noted by concert promoters and broadcasters, which led them to releasing one full album and two single albums. The other half of WAU, Swings, was a talented team that won many rock competitions in South Korea and had the honor of being invited to participate in prominent rock festivals despite their young age. Since their teens, Swings have been focused on a serious music career, building their sound through various stage performances and radio shows. The pinnacle of their career was when they proceeded to several rounds in “Top Band Season 2,” a popular music audition program in South Korea, which brought them mainstream popularity.

At “Girls’ Rock Festival Season 6,” Rubber Duckie and Swings performed on a collaboration stage which was the beginning of WAU. Previously friendly competitors on stage, the two bands, after collaborating together, realized that they had great synergy as a single unit. Thus, after much discussion between the management of the two bands, a decision was made to combine the two into one, which would create greater entertainment and music value for audiences in both Korea and abroad.

The direction of Walking After U; Beyond Korea to meet new markets

Walking After U consists of vocalist Haein, guitarist Jia, keyboardist Sunny, and percussionist Azzang. Although still young in their 20s, the band members have long and mature musical careers because of their early start as teenagers. Unlike other bands their age, WAU offers a variety of technical skills which highlights their musicianship, as well as in-depth inspiration and creativity, making them true artists. The band performs regularly Wednesday evening at Didim Hall, and owing to this steady bill, the band was able to gain a loyal following. Now, concert promoters in Japan and Taiwan are asking WAU to play shows in their countries.

The debut album is characterized by a mix of Rubber Duckie influenced technique and precision with a dab of Swings’ catchy and harmonic melodies. In general genre terms, WAU’s sound can be dubbed as Emo. The guitar drives the notes and riffs, which is sustained by emotional melodies. But WAU’s music reflects the unique individuality of each member as well as can be seen in titles such as “Burn” and “Runaway.” Songs such as “Can’t Stop Staring” or “Bambi” follow a Korean melody line familiar and popular to the local audience and is frequently requested at concerts and festival shows. “Blind” and “The End” illustrate well the vocal capacity of singer Haein, and “Aniya” and “I Don’t Wanna Die” are modern numbers that represent well the direction that WAU is going in today. Meanwhile, “P.O.T” and “Secret” are songs that have dramatic structure, and exhibit well the intricate musicianship of guitarist Jia.

Like other musicians, WAU focuses more on their live shows than their album sales. With the release of their debut album, WAU has announced two goals. The first is to play shows in all clubs nationwide to promote the launch of their debut album. Beginning with their show at club “Radiostar” in Jeonju, WAU will perform at club venues around the nation, including Busan, Gwangju, and Daejeon. The second goal, which is one yet to be achieved by any rock group in Korea, is to embark on a full scale, “Asia Club Tour.” From October 2, 2014, already shows are being put together in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Taipei. After eight performances in Japan and Taiwan, the band plans to extend their road trip to the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, and Hong Kong, so that audiences all around Asia can experience the sound of WAU. Once the local club shows, and Asian Tour is complete, WAU will plan a European Tour at the end of the year. “Even if only one person shows up at our shows it’s alright, because WAU started as a band playing for a one person audience, and has grown into a band playing before thousands,” commented a representative of the band.

Now, with the release of their debut album, and ambitious plans to conquer the world, rock critics and fans alike are waiting to see what mark WAU will leave on the world.

from Canada media

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