Wave Racer

For the 1992 video game, see Wave Race.
Wave Racer
Wave Racer in 2021
Wave Racer in 2021
Background information
Birth nameThomas Michael Purcell
Born (1992-04-26) 26 April 1992 (age 32)
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Alternative, Electronic
Occupations
  • Musician
  • Music Producer
  • Song-writer
Instrument
Electric Guitar, Synthesiser, Vocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
PIAS, Astral People Recordings
Websitehttp://www.waveracer.band

Thomas Michael Purcell, known professionally as Wave Racer, is an Australian musician, multi-instrumentalist and music producer.[3][4][5] The name "Wave Racer" is adapted from the Nintendo 64 game Wave Race 64. His debut single, consisting of two songs, "Rock U Tonite" and "Stoopid", was released in 2013.[6][7][8] The same year, he signed with Australian independent record label Future Classic, who also signed other electronic artists including Cashmere Cat and Flume.[9][10]

His "Flash Drive" EP was released in 2015, featuring a guest appearance by Lido.[11][12] In 2021, he released his debut full-length album, To Stop From Falling Off The Earth.[13]

He has performed in the United States at Ultra Music Festival,[14] on Mad Decent's Block Party Tour[15] and in support of Chromeo on their "Frequent Flyer Tour".[16] Australian festival highlights include Splendour In The Grass,[17] Field Day,[18] Groovin' the Moo[19] and Falls Festival.[20] He has also toured in support of Disclosure during their Australian tour in 2014,[21][22][23] and Porter Robinson during his Australian tour in 2015,[24] alongside Cosmo's Midnight.

Early life and career

Purcell was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 26 April 1992. He has cited his start in electronic dance music production as being part of a disco house duo with his friend called "Pablo J & The Lobsterettes".[25] Speaking about the comparison of his music to the likes of Cashmere Cat and Hudson Mohawke, Purcell quoted them as massive influences and said "...people often describe my music as future bass".[26]

In 2014, he released the stand-alone single "Streamers".[27][28][29][30] It was described as a 'tropical, glitchy tune' with elements of trap and futuristic indie-dance.[31][32][33][34][35] In 2015, he released the songs "Flash Drive (featuring B▲BY)"[36] and "World Record (featuring Lido)",[37][38][39][40][41] as singles for his debut EP Flash Drive.[42][43][44][45][46] The EP consisted of 4 tracks and was released on October 15, 2015.[47][48][49][50][51] The title track, "Flash Drive", was featured in the official soundtrack for the 2016 racing video game Forza Horizon 3.[52]

In 2017, Wave Racer's remix of Flight Facilities' "Stand Still" was sampled without clearance by Fetty Wap in his song "Way You Are".[53][54][55][56]

On April 24, 2021, Wave Racer performed live as a part of Porter Robinson's virtual festival Secret Sky.[57][58][59][60] The performance featured Wave Racer playing his original music with a live band.[61]

On August 6, 2021, Wave Racer was featured on Triple J's "Like A Version" segment, in which he performed a cover of The 1975's "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)", as well as his single "Look Up To Yourself".[62]

On October 29, 2021, Wave Racer released his debut full-length album To Stop From Falling Off The Earth[13][63] through Astral People Recordings, a co-operative record label formed with PIAS.[64][65][66][67][68] The album contains 11 songs, and for the first time, features Purcell's own vocal performances and lyrics, as well as the prominent use of electric guitar and synthesisers. The album received 4 out of 5 stars in reviews from NME[69] and Rolling Stone Australia.[70] The album also received praise from French electronic musician Madeon.[71]

Awards

In 2013, Wave Racer was nominated for a J Award in the "Unearthed Artist of the Year" category.[72] In 2015, he won the FBi SMAC (Sydney's Music Arts & Culture) Award for "Best Producer".[73]

Year Award Nominee / Work Result
2013 J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
2015 FBi SMAC Award for Best Producer Himself Won

Discography

[74]

Studio albums

Title Details
To Stop From Falling Off The Earth[13]
  • Released: 29 October 2021
  • Label: Astral People Recordings / PIAS
  • Format: Digital download, 12" Vinyl

EPs

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Dance
[75]
Flash Drive
  • Released: 16 October 2015
  • Label: Future Classic
  • Format: Digital download, USB keychain
 15

Singles

Title Year Label Album
"Rock U Tonite" 2013 Future Classic Rock U Tonite/Stoopid
"Stoopid"
"Streamers" 2014 Non-album single
"Flash Drive" (featuring B▲BY) 2015 Flash Drive
"AUTO" 2019 Astral People Recordings / PIAS To Stop From Falling Off The Earth
"Summer Rain" (featuring Kwame) Non-album single
"This N That" (featuring LunchMoney Lewis)
"Higher" 2020
"Left Behind" 2021 To Stop From Falling Off The Earth
"What Are We Waiting For?"
"Look Up To Yourself"
"Dreaming"

Remixes

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Covers

2021

References

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