The long-awaited follow-up to their debut record, Impossible Falcon, was just released by Theo and Sasha Spielberg, better known as Wardell. The band was in limbo after the success of their debut album, Love/Idleness, in 2015 as they awaited a producer who eventually fell through. They were stuck for weeks during the waiting time but did not let that stop them from pursuing their love of music. They kept touring and focusing on their projects until they could locate the ideal producer to work on their second album.
Their self-described genre of “shuffle pop.” is continued on the seven-track, just over the 20-minute long record. The duo has skillfully merged various styles and genres to produce a distinctive sound that sticks out from the competition. In a recent interview with Flaunt, they discussed the challenges they encountered while recording their album while living on different coasts. Despite the difficulties, they made it work because of their prior communication through audio notes, even when they were neighbors just a few doors apart.
Impossible Falcon is the record’s name, inspired by a poem about Autumn that Sasha sent to Theo as he was en route to see a friend’s performance. When they came across the phrase “Impossible Falcon” in the poem, they realized it was the ideal album title. The title, they explained in the interview, symbolized the challenge of launching the record. They experienced many halts and oscillations while creating the record, but they excelled once they found their groove.
A Breakup Album with a Rebirth
The album is a type of breakup album, reflecting the painful splits that both Theo and Sasha went through. They did add that the record also symbolizes a rebirth. They developed a new respect for their music and sibling relationship due to the challenges they encountered during the recording process. The album signifies a fresh start for the group, a new commencement, and new optimism for the future.
Influences and Musical Background
Wardell has a distinctive musical heritage thanks to their parents, who are well-known in the movie business. While they were growing up, their father, the renowned director Steven Spielberg, would play movie scores, which influenced their passion for music. Their grandmother Lee was a talented pianist, and their mother, the actress Kate Capshaw, also had a fine voice. Even Lee’s father, their great-grandpa, was a fantastic guitarist.
Wardell always understood that their parents’ true passion lay in music despite their successful careers in the film industry. Sasha began acting in high school and continued through college, but her love for singing always came first. She earned a degree in literature and screenplay and created a TV program that ABC purchased. But she knew that her love of music was her only real passion. Before starting Wardell with his sister, Theo worked as an audio curator for Saturday Night Live.
Sibling Rivalry and Chemistry
Theo and Sasha are not your usual brother-sister team. Although they don’t always sound the same and don’t always appear the same, they have an undeniable chemistry on stage. When questioned about sibling rivalry, they admitted that because they shared many interests and were so close in age, it frequently felt like they were on the same side. It was more of an alliance between them than much of a competition because they would cooperate at family events.
The band’s moniker, Wardell, is a tribute to their grandfather, a jazz musician in the professional sense. Waddy Wardell was his name, and they chose to take on The band Wardell released their second album, “Impossible Falcon,” in late February despite having a busy timetable. The album showcases the duo’s musical versatility with various styles and sounds.
In an interview with Flaunt, the siblings revealed that the record was a breakup album, and they were both going through difficult breakups during the writing process. They persevered in the face of obstacles and eventually produced a document symbolizing endings and rebirth.
The duo has discovered what works for them in their songwriting process, which entails exchanging voice notes and ideas. They chose to be divided by a wall, even in the same city, so that they could concentrate on their creative processes.
Sasha and Theo are engaged in other musical projects besides their work with Wardell. Theo has worked as a musical curator for Saturday Night Live, whereas Sasha has her solo endeavor called Buzzy Lee. Both siblings deeply love music, even though their parents are employed in the film business. Sasha even mentioned how she struggled with stage anxiety in high school but overcame it by performing in school plays.
Even though their parents, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw, are well-known personalities in Hollywood, Wardell’s music has barely been influenced by them. However, the siblings have drawn influence from their father’s enthusiasm for The Beatles and his capacity for musical recognition.
Wardell intends to keep collaborating with other musicians and discovering new musical styles in the future. It is evident from the “Impossible Falcon” achievement that the brother-sister team has discovered a formula for success.
Theo and Sasha, Spielberg of Wardell, may not have the most well-known names in the music business, but there is no denying their skill and originality. They stand out from other sibling groups thanks to their distinctive style and songwriting process and keep pushing the envelope with their music. Wardell has cemented their position in the music industry with “Impossible Falcon,” and their admirers can’t wait for their next release.
Keep up to date and connect with Sasha and Theo on instagram, here.