DAVIDE K-POP

South Korea’s musical landscape extends far beyond the world of K-pop, boasting a rich tapestry of sounds from soulful K-R&B to captivating indie artists.
Among those making waves internationally is the exceptional three-member band, wave to earth. Based in Seoul, this talented trio consists of singer-songwriter Daniel Kim, the rhythmic prowess of drummer Dong Kyu Shin, and the melodic foundation of bassist John Cha. Together, they craft indie pop with a distinctive lo-fi aesthetic, enriched by the nuanced rhythms of jazz drumming, creating music that evokes the beauty of changing seasons and a deeply dreamy atmosphere.

London fans are in for a treat as wave to earth brings their soul-stirring sound to the O2 Academy Brixton on Tuesday, April 29th, as part of their wave to earth ‘Play With Earth’ 0.03 Tour 2025, produced by Live Nation. The show promises an evening immersed in their atmospheric indie melodies and heartfelt lyrics, delivered through their signature lush, jazz-infused soundscapes that have garnered a dedicated global following.

What defines wave to earth is their “All Self-made” philosophy, which I find very inspiring, and in somehow I can relate to. The band members personally handle every aspect of their creative process, from the intricate details of recording, mixing, and mastering their music to directing the overall artistic vision, including their distinctive album art, compelling videos, and unique fashion sense. This is not just remarkable; it provides a deep and comprehensive insight into their craft.

Ahead of their show in London, we had the opportunity to delve into the world of wave to earth, exploring their creative process, their inspirations, and what fans can expect from their upcoming performance.

Davide: Hello Wave to Earth! I’m Davide, and it’s a real pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with you ahead of your European tour. How are you all doing today? Could you please introduce yourselves to our readers?
Dong Kyu: Hi, I’m Dong Kyu Shin, the drummer.
Daniel: I’m Daniel Kim and I’m the vocalist.
John: I’m John Cha and I play the bass in the band. It has actually been a week after our South America tour. We are still settling down. 

Davide: wave to earth is a very evocative name. What’s the story behind it, and how did the three of you come together to form this band?
John: Actually wave to earth started with these 2 guys (Jonh pointed to Daniel and Dong Kyu) first ,it was around 2018 and the meaning of the name was to kinda be the new wave on the band scene. The Korean indie band scene was very small but we wanted to be bigger. I joined about 1 or 2 years after and that’s how we became wave to earth, making new waves! 

Davide: Congratulations on your upcoming “Play With Earth” Tour across Europe, including your show in London at the O2 Academy Brixton! What are you most looking forward to about bringing your music back to this part of the world?
Daniel: First of all, I was actually born in France, so I’m excited to go back to my hometown and see my family again. But more than that, I’m grateful that we’re going on a European tour and will get to see our European fans. I’m looking forward to seeing what they think of our new album and how they’ll enjoy it.

Davide: Your music is often described as atmospheric indie with jazz-infused elements and a lo-fi sound. How do you collectively arrive at this unique sonic blend and how’s your creative process?
Daniel: Sometimes I start sketching out a song, and other times the other members bring their own sketches. From there, we try to find the elements that best express the feeling we’re going for, and then we bring it all together to create music that has our own unique character. Each of us has a background in the jazz scene, which definitely influences our sound. I also spent a lot of time in the indie scene, so all of those experiences come together to shape the unique sound we have now.

Davide: Are there any particular artists, Korean or international, who have significantly influenced your musical journey and sound?
John: There are a lots of artists but what comes to my mind is Mndsgn or Mile High Club, those are some of our foundations of our sound. Mostly they are based in LA, with a West Coast sound.

Davide: Are there any artits you’d like to collaborate with?
Daniel: (pointing at Dong Kyu) He really wants to collaborate with Daniel Caesar!
Dong smiles and nods very happy! 

Davide: Are you guys working on some new projects?
Daniel: Do we have time to work on new music despite the busy schedule? Since I’m in two bands, I try to stay focused on constantly making music and not lose that concentration. Right now, I’m working on songs for The Poles, but if inspiration for wave to earth comes to me first, I think I’d be able to fully dive into that instead. As for wave to earth, I feel like we need some time to recharge the energy that’s been used up—so I think we need to take that time first.

Davide: Finally, what message would you like to share with your fans in London and across Europe who are eagerly awaiting your upcoming tour?
John: This time we sadly are doing few cities, but what we actually enjoyed last time was that there were lots of opportunities to visit various different cities, like in Scotland. We enjoyed it and definitely want to visit those places again in the future, if it’s possible. I hope you guys are looking forward our new album and experience it then live. In the meantime, I hope you guys are safe and see you soon!

Davide: That’s all for today guys! Thank you so much for this interview; it was a pleasure to get to know you guys a bit more! 
Keep well, and I will catch you in London soon! 

Catch wave to earth in London at the O2 Academy Brixston on the 29th of April, still few tickets left!

Support and follow wave to earth on social media and stream their music on your favourite platforms.