Wallice Is Your New Best Friend

by | Apr 5, 2023

Los Angeles-hailing Wallice Hana Watanabe, known mononymously as Wallice, has shared her latest single Best Friend alongside announcing her forthcoming EP Mr Big Shot, set for release on Friday 23rd June via Dirty Hit. The track’s accompanying music video arrives as a striking piece directed by Anthony Pham and John Merizalde, known for their work with the likes of Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Depeche Mode. Best Friend is Wallice’s first new music of 2023, a year already shaping up to be a big one for her having just wrapped up a US tour with JAWNY and now currently on a tour of Asia and Australia as direct support for lablemates The 1975. The 24-year-old has also announced a series of UK headline dates for later this year, including London’s Moth Club, then will roll right into a headline US run of shows this summer before returning to the UK for Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Wallice (Le3ay)

Wallice (Le3ay)
Wallice (Le3ay)

Carrying on from where she left off with previous single Japan, Best Friend sees Wallice continue to showcase her more reflective and sentimental side touching on the sometimes nostalgic, sometimes frustrating memories of lost relationships. Wallice comments: “A recurrent theme in my music has been friendship. I think this song can easily relate to both friendship and the friendship within a romantic relationship. I’ve had a couple falling outs with various friends throughout my life, I think it’s just part of life and growing up. Even though that friendship might not serve you anymore it’s still so easy to reminisce on it and miss it.”

Check out the Pham & John Merizalde-directed video for Best Friend below:

Swiftly earmarked as one of indie pop’s most exciting new voices, Wallice has become synonymous for her wry, self-effacing anthems capturing Gen Z anxieties. A breakout 2022 saw her sign to Dirty Hit for the release of her second EP 90s American Superstar, which charts the rise and fall of a fictional celebrity across five cutting, tongue-in-cheek tracks.

Wallice (Nicole Busch)

Wallice (Nicole Busch)
Wallice (Nicole Busch)

Wallice has toured through the US, supporting the likes of BeabdoobeeStill Woozychloe moriondo and Wallows, crossed the pond for a sold-out London headline date and showcase at The Great Escape and wrapped up 2022 on a very high note with a sold-out US headline run of shows. Most recently, she was invited to contribute a track to the first ever Pigeons & Planes compilation album alongside the likes of EKKSTACY, Terry Presume and Fana Hues, with executive production by Mike Dean.

UK Live dates:

MAY
31st – The Poetry Club, Glasgow

JUNE
1st – YES (The Basement), Manchester
2nd – Moth Club, London

AUGUST
25th – Reading Festival
27th – Leeds Festival

Self Esteem Brings Pop Mastery To Hammersmith

Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Wyatt Flores Brings Honest Heart And Sharp Style To London’s Roundhouse

On a crisp October night at London’s Roundhouse, Wyatt Flores stepped onto the stage to a roaring crowd, his name echoing around the vaulted room with a force that surprised even him. Supporting 49 Winchester on their UK run, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter might technically have been the opener, but from the reaction that greeted him, it was clear many had come just as much for Wyatt.

49 Winchester @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

From Russell County To Camden Town: 49 Winchester’s Triumphant Roundhouse Performance

Virginia’s 49 Winchester transformed Camden’s Roundhouse into a celebration of straight-from-the-heart Americana. Early in the set, frontman Isaac Gibson acknowledged to the audience that this was the band’s first sold-out night on the tour and the response from the crowd made clear how much the moment meant to everyone in the room.

Echobelly @ Electric Ballroom (Kalpesh Patel)

Echobelly Bring ON To Life At The Electric Ballroom – A Triumphant Celebration Of Britpop’s Enduring Spirit

It’s been three decades since Echobelly released ON, the Britpop-era gem that cemented them as one of the most vital and distinctive voices of the mid-90s. On Thursday night at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band — fronted by the magnetic Sonya Madan and founding guitarist Glenn Johansson — returned to Camden to celebrate that legacy, playing the album in full to a sold-out crowd that sang, swayed, and grinned their way through one of the most joyous nostalgia trips of the year.

The Kooks @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Not Naïve – The Kooks Are Always Where They Need To Be At London’s O2 Arena

Brighton Indie Pop darlings The Kooks played quite possibly the biggest and best show of their 20 year career at The O2 Arena on Saturday night. A night of nostalgia, of celebration and of cementing themselves as one of the best British bands formed in the 21st century.

Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory @ O2 Academy Birmingham (Nick Allan)

New Found Glory Never Miss, Only Hit At O2 Academy Birmingham

There’s something about a New Found Glory show that feels like coming home. No matter how many years have passed or how much life has changed, when those opening chords hit, you’re right back where it all started — shouting lyrics with your friends, sweaty, smiling, and completely lost in the moment.

Remember Monday @ Latitude Festival 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Remember Monday Return With New Single ‘More Than Ever’ Ahead Of Headline UK Tour

Country-pop trio Remember Monday continue their breakout year with the release of their new single More Than Ever, co-written with GRAMMY® winner and chart-topping artist Cian Ducrot. The track arrives just as the band kick off their highly anticipated What The Hell Just Happened? UK and Ireland headline tour, which culminates at London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Davina Michelle (Press)

Davina Michelle Launches Empowering New Era With ‘What A Woman’

Dutch pop sensation Davina Michelle has released her brand-new single What A Woman, an empowering anthem that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and individuality of women everywhere. The track arrives alongside a striking new music video, introducing a bold new chapter for one of the Netherlands’ most successful modern pop artists.

Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Share Video for ‘Ad Astra’ Featuring Graham Coxon

Northern Irish alt-rock stalwarts Ash have shared the video for their latest single Ad Astra, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, taken from their brand-new album of the same name — out now on Fierce Panda Records.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing