100%WET is redefining the boundaries of modern music with their genre-blending sound they’ve coined as “hypergaze.” Merging shoegaze, drum’n’bass, vaporwave, and hyperpop, this group has created a sonic identity that is both nostalgic and futuristic. Their latest single, “Ether,” is a perfect showcase of their ability to balance contrasting themes—euphoria and detachment—through layered textures and hauntingly beautiful vocals.
In this interview, we dive into their creative process, the inspiration behind their music and visuals, and how they translate their intricate, atmospheric sound to the stage. From building “Ether” through 13 iterations to crafting a live experience that promises groovy breakbeats and a wall of sound, 100%WET continues to push the envelope in every aspect of their artistry.
Let’s unravel the layers of “hypergaze” and discover what makes 100%WET one of the most compelling acts of today.
1. Your sound merges elements of shoegaze, drum’n’bass, vaporwave, and even hyperpop, which you call “hypergaze.” How did you arrive at this unique blend of influences, and what does “hypergaze” mean to you as a genre?
Both of us have grown up listening to shoegaze, grunge and the British electronic scene. When we first started playing music together, combining elements of rock and electronic music just happened and worked for us. Hypergaze is a term our friend and electronic artist Tettix Hexer came up with and we thought it fitting to the sound.
2.“Ether” explores themes of euphoria and detachment through its layered textures and bold, haunting vocals by Eir. What inspired these themes, and how did you approach conveying such contrasting emotions musically?
It combines personal experiences with schizophrenia, with feeling out of touch with your surroundings, while also being a lovesong, a cry for your loved one to connect with you. It seemed appealing to work with something a bit darker lyrically within the framework of an uplifting production. We feel it’s become a danceable production and for us a more pop oriented sound, but it always feels more interesting to use different types of elements that don’t all point in the same direction.
3. You mentioned that “Ether” was built from an analogue 303 synth loop and underwent multiple iterations before reaching its final form. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you knew the track was complete?
Started as an old demo, with the 303 loop and some of the guitars. Casper made new beats by chopping up breaks, and sending the demo over to Jakob, who then composed guitar lines that became a verse, prechorus and outro.
When the production felt like it was starting to come together, Casper and Sanna had a vocal session, looking for lyrical inspiration from artists like The Cardigans and PJ Harvey.
A lot of different new song structures then emerged. The first version only had the chorus vocals in the outro, but we moved this melody into the chorus while putting down a distorted bassline and 4 to the floor, before arriving at the shoegazy, distorted outro.
Our label Crunchy Frog gave their input in regards to the structure towards the last part of the process, and helped in deciding on the final version after 13 different iterations of the song.
4. The lyrics, ‘I don’t know how to connect / So I disconnect,’ paired with the track’s reverb-soaked guitars and acid-tinged basslines, create a hypnotic, bittersweet vibe. How do these lyrics tie into the overall concept of the song and the visual elements of the artwork?
Our art director Lucas Kober plays a key role in shaping the visual universe, and we talk a lot about the themes and vibes within the music during al parts of the process. He created the cover for the song, an artwork that combines something ethereal, slightly mysterious with the hypnotic element represented as a spiral. Lucas works a lot with organic or more sensual elements like flowers, but within a manipulated or ‘constructed’ reality – something that feels fitting with our ways of working. Maybe the hand represents a longing – or something familiar but also weirdly impersonal or unattached at the same time. I guess a point is you can interpret that in your own way..
5. 100%WET has already started building momentum with live shows in Hamburg and Bristol, and now you’re set to tour Denmark and Sweden. How does your intricate, atmospheric sound translate to the stage, and what can audiences expect from your live performances?
We have a setup of me (Casper) and Jakob on dual guitars and a sampler, Eir on the lead vocals, and Emil F is our DJ with live processing and electronic wizardry.
Expect a wall of sound – loud guitars, groovy break-beats and mesmerising vocals.
Check out their latest single below: