Wakey Wakey
About the artist
About the artist
Ever since his single “War Sweater” jettisoned him into stardom five years ago (thanks to a game-changing plug on One Tree Hill), the indie-pop singer has built a following that’s as passionate as his compositions. His fans have bought 45,000 copies of his self-released debut, the exquisitely tortured Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said the Last Time I Saw You. They’ve permanently inked his lyrics on their bodies (you can find them on display at the “WW Tattoos!!!” Pinterest board). And in the ultimate gesture of support, they crowd-funded his self-released follow-up album, the fittingly titled Salvation—and even exceeded the goal by 141 percent. Meanwhile, Salvation’s first single, the bright, palpitating “Wake Up (Lily I Love You),” is already off to an auspicious start, amassing global grassroots traction. What he has now is lightness and vantage. Salvation is built on broader themes such as rescue and hope. At its heart lies the title track, which compares “salvation to a light turned on,” explains Grubbs. “You’re down and depressed, and someone says the right thing to you or does an unexpected act of kindness—and you’re just better.” And as the song suggests, you can ultimately save yourself. Sings Grubbs, “When there’s no one left to life you up, you reach up till your arms become wings, and they lift you.”