Art Wilde Defies Industry Standards with Debut Album ‘Learn To Swim’

Modern-day nomad, Art Wilde, releases his debut album Learn To Swim under Mad Honey Records. Alternative with flavors of soul, RnB, electronic, and pop, Learn To Swim is a bold statement against fitting into a certain genre. In the opening track, Wilde states it clearly – “This is not pop, this is not hip-hop, this is not EDM… this is not underground, or mainstream, or country…” – as he poetically moves down the list of genres, driving home the point that he doesn’t fit within any of these “boxes.” “This is not selling out, this is not buying into trends,” says Wilde. “This does not conform to norms….this tape is not the experience that you came for…. you are.”

Learn To Swim sees Art Wilde in a deeply personal effort to represent the fluidity of life through music. First conceived and recorded in an abandoned church in Los Angeles, the production for the album moved to a basement shelter in Colorado after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – perfectly exemplifying the constant state of flow that life is. Blending different genres and influences to create a bold new alternative sound, Art Wilde traverses through many soundscape combinations throughout the tracklist.

From songs like “Hot Water” presenting an ode to siren songs to “Sex & Candy” where Wilde reimagines a ‘90s grunge hit as a gritty electronic anthem, Wilde’s musical athleticism is put on display as he creates his own fluid soundscape. The album sees Wilde reimagining classic jazz standards with urban production and retrospective satire, combinations of acoustic guitar with electronic elements, and hip-hop and slow blues tracks back to back. Needless to say, listeners don’t know what to expect – and shouldn’t hold expectations – as they listen to the masterpiece that Wilde has created. What you hear is pure egoless expression. A rhetorical answer to an undeniable calling. Life imitating art.

Art Wilde was made from the ashes of a nomad. Born in Nepal, he was raised in a household that discouraged any semblance of artistic inclination. In spite of it all, Wilde fell in love with music – hard. After two life-altering earthquakes, he found himself in the birthplace of jazz. He began utilizing his skills busking in the streets of New Orleans and soon developed himself as a “sideman”, gracing prestigious venues such as the Jazz Museum and the Lakefront Arena. He appeared on community radio stations including WWOZ, WAMF, and Crescent City Radio, and humbly received both the Brumat Award and the Gregerico Frederico Award for his outstanding dedication to the music community.

Prior to the release of his debut album Learn To Swim, Wilde released the lead single “Hot Water” which quickly gained attention from fans garnering 93,000+ streams in its first few weeks of release. As the solo artist for Mad Honey Records, Wilde intends to use his artistry as a medium to heal people who seek their messiahs in music.

Artwork for ‘Learn To Swim’ by Art Wilde