Emerging as a distinctive voice in the shoegaze genre, the band Whitelands—comprising members Etienne, Jagun, Vanessa, and Michael—challenges industry norms with their unique blend of musical influences and their all-people-of-color lineup in a predominantly white music scene. Formed after Etienne's discovery of Slowdive’s KEXP session on YouTube, the band takes a novel approach to the Gen Z-favored genre, integrating their varied musical backgrounds.
Vanessa speaks out against the stereotypical expectations in the music world, highlighting how Whitelands defies the traditional narrative of racial and emotional expression in music. Etienne credits his diverse media consumption, including videogames, paintings, and particularly anime, as the foundation of their creative process, leading to songs rich in varied influences and emotional depth.
The band's lyrics are notably profound, exploring themes from emotional vulnerabilities and mental health issues like ADHD, as illustrated in their new single ‘Tell Me About It,’ featuring Dottie from deary. The album also includes politically charged tracks like ‘Setting Sun’ and ‘Now Here’s The Weather,’ addressing themes of imperialism and racism.
Vanessa reflects on the challenges faced by Whitelands, including tokenism and subtle discriminatory behaviors, underscoring their determination to break barriers and make a substantial impact in the music industry.
https://whitelands.bandcamp.com/album/night-bound-eyes-are-blind-to-the-day
