Electrifying Night at The Basement: The Wonderlands and Film Models
Photo: Lucy Jones
The Wonderlands Love Like This tour is a story to be told. Sweeping across the heartland, hitting cities all around the midwest to the east coast, The Wonderlands have left their mark on every city they’ve played. The band from Cincinnati, Ohio officially made their move to Nashville, Tenn. a few months ago and have started their new chapter with a tour—they couldn’t skip their newfound hometown of course, kicking off the night with their first headline show at The Basement.
Setting the vibe for The Wonderlands with their indie-rock sound and their new wave aesthetic was no other than the local Nashville powerhouse Film Models. The band consisting of five — Andre Burton (lead vocalist and rhythm guitar), Richard DeBenedetto (lead guitar), Isaac Berryhill (synth), Travis Keys (bass) and Dakota Cline (drums) — came to rock the roof off of The Basement. Despite having only two songs out, they played a 30 minute all original set and instantly had the crowd on their feet. Whether you live in Nashville and are looking to support local talent or are a music enthusiast searching for fresh, new sounds, Film Models are quickly ascending with their perfect blend of nostalgic indie-rock sound that itches just the right spot in your brain.
Before the set, Pleaser had the privilege to sit down and chat with The Wonderlands – composed of the talented Miles Jena (lead vocalist), Jillian Gavigan (keys), Patrick Oakes (guitar), Adam Steele (bass) and Derek Johnson (drums) – who shared insights about tour that were nothing short of captivating. From the nuances of van life to exploring new cities, the band dove into the tapestry of their first headline tour, particularly the realm of intimate club shows.
Highlighting the camaraderie from living together on and off the road, they share how they haven’t gotten tired of each other yet, even with the number of hours spent together. Even after their move from Ohio, they spoke passionately about the special connection they share with their home state. The Ohio shows that they get to share with their family and friends stand out as some of their most cherished shows.
Photo: Lucy Jones
Embarking on a first headline tour is an adventure the band says is filled with uncertainties, especially when venturing into new places; the unknown can be both exhilarating and daunting. They can never fully prepare themselves for challenges on the road, but the end result will always be rewarding. However, the thrill of seeing new places, making connections with new people, and being able to show their passion to the world makes it all worthwhile. So worth it, that The Wonderlands are prepping for another tour soon, something everyone should keep their eyes peeled for. Jena said connecting with the people who listen to their music is so important to the band and that they want to create that foundation of building a community from the ground up. The Wonderlands have begun doing just that: at their Nashville show, it was an atmosphere of shared love and passion for music that brought everyone together.
Photo: Lucy Jones
Regardless of how many people they are performing to, The Wonderlands leave everything they have on the stage. Their energetic performance spread around the room and quickly had everyone dancing together. From the beginning of their set to the end and everything in between, there wasn’t a second that the crowd wasn’t completely captivated. Between the powerful vocals, the electrifying instrumentals and the engaging stage presence from the entire band, they left an indelible mark on the Nashville scene and the memory of everyone who was fortunate enough to be a part of that night at The Basement.
Witnessing the chapter unfold of The Wonderlands’ musical journey, this is undeniably only the beginning of the legacy that they are destined to create.
