LA-based musician Wallice (she/her) shares a new single “Wisdom Tooth” today, produced with her close friend and collaborator marinelli. Following the release of debut EP Off the Rails earlier this year, the track is accompanied by the news of her global signing to celebrated independent label Dirty Hit, where she joins the roster alongside the likes of The 1975, Beabadoobee and Rina Sawayama. 

Using the rite-of-passage dental procedure as her analogy, Wallice explains that ‘Wisdom Tooth’ is ultimately about coming of age; “I wrote this song in a session with my long-time collaborator and best friend marinelli the day before I got my wisdom teeth out. The doctor had just called to say that I’d also need a bone graft to fill in the space in my jaw where the tooth used to be. It really shook me up and there was no way we could write a different song after that. Getting your wisdom teeth out is an event that many people have to go through, it’s a physical sign of growing up. In the song ‘Wisdom Tooth’, I conflate this experience to getting rid of a person in your life as a milestone of growing up too. It shows that sometimes people can grow apart and though it can be hard, it might be better to leave a relationship or friendship rather than keep on trying to make it work. It also talks about how there are little reminders in your life that can bring you back to that person mentally, even though you have moved on.”

Wallice first made her mark with debut single ‘Punching Bag’ late last year, an instantly relatable lo-fi anthem on unrequited friendship. This was followed by ‘23,’ a tongue-in-cheek contemplation on the urgency to come of age, and ‘Hey Michael,’ a hilarious and cutting observation on flaky lovers and friends. She was announced as one of the flagship artists for Spotify’s inaugural Fresh Finds independent artists program, which saw her paired up with acclaimed producer Ariel Rechtshaid (Haim, Vampire Weekend, Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira) for the single ‘Nothing Scares Me.’

Wallice began writing songs in middle school, contemplating secret crushes over instruments she learned to play in the school band and armed with her trusty iPod maxed out by Weezer, Black Eyed Peas, Radiohead and Lana Del Rey. Wallice’s distinct voice led her to the New School’s Jazz Vocal Performance program in New York City. After a year, she decided to pack her bags and head back home to California, linking back up with her childhood friend marinelli who helped her develop a clearer sonic direction. Blending bedroom pop sensibilities with the energy and ethos of indie rock, Wallice’s tracks have already been embraced as hyper-relatable Gen-Z anthems, a recognition that will surely rise as she joins her new label home at Dirty Hit. 

Photo Courtesy: Jerry Maestas