Ben Wheatley, renowned film director behind High-Rise and Sightseers, has been secretly churning out music under the alias Dave Welder. With a staggering 26 records released in just over a year, spanning genres from electronica to drone, Dave Welder is the creative force behind most of these releases.
Wheatley's foray into music-making began with GarageBand, an app he found accessible and intuitive. He has since become enthralled by the process, describing it as a "weird flow state" where ideas emerge effortlessly, leaving him to wonder at his own creative prowess. For Wheatley, music serves as both a distraction from filmmaking commitments and a source of inspiration.
The musician's approach is characterized by its DIY ethos, reflecting the aesthetic of Bulk, his latest experimental sci-fi film. With the credits featuring instructions on how to recreate the film using ancient equipment like iPhones and GarageBand, it embodies the punk spirit that underpins much of Wheatley's work.
Wheatley has drawn parallels between his creative endeavors – writing, directing, scoring films like Bulk, which he also made its models for – and his newfound love of music. By embracing the same handmade approach as his filmmaking projects, he aims to foster a sense of community among fans. The musician believes that music should be experienced in a live setting, using large speakers to immerse listeners.
This passion has led Wheatley to explore collaborations with his film's cast and crew, including Sam Riley, whose performance in Bulk is complemented by the album released under Dave Welder's moniker. However, it remains unclear whether his ambitions will extend beyond music and into other immersive experiences that combine film and live soundscapes.
For now, Wheatley finds himself torn between his love of filmmaking and his burgeoning musical career. He has even started brainstorming ideas for a unique concert experience that blends elements of both art forms.
Wheatley's foray into music-making began with GarageBand, an app he found accessible and intuitive. He has since become enthralled by the process, describing it as a "weird flow state" where ideas emerge effortlessly, leaving him to wonder at his own creative prowess. For Wheatley, music serves as both a distraction from filmmaking commitments and a source of inspiration.
The musician's approach is characterized by its DIY ethos, reflecting the aesthetic of Bulk, his latest experimental sci-fi film. With the credits featuring instructions on how to recreate the film using ancient equipment like iPhones and GarageBand, it embodies the punk spirit that underpins much of Wheatley's work.
Wheatley has drawn parallels between his creative endeavors – writing, directing, scoring films like Bulk, which he also made its models for – and his newfound love of music. By embracing the same handmade approach as his filmmaking projects, he aims to foster a sense of community among fans. The musician believes that music should be experienced in a live setting, using large speakers to immerse listeners.
This passion has led Wheatley to explore collaborations with his film's cast and crew, including Sam Riley, whose performance in Bulk is complemented by the album released under Dave Welder's moniker. However, it remains unclear whether his ambitions will extend beyond music and into other immersive experiences that combine film and live soundscapes.
For now, Wheatley finds himself torn between his love of filmmaking and his burgeoning musical career. He has even started brainstorming ideas for a unique concert experience that blends elements of both art forms.
about ben wheatley's secret music project!! 
he's like, totally embracing the DIY ethos & punk spirit in bulk 
and it's so cool to see him merge his film & music passions 
it'd be mind-blowing!!! 
i'd love to see what kind of collaborations he'll come up with, like sam riley's involvement 
has anyone listened to his latest album under Dave Welder? 
. I mean, the dude's been cranking out 26 records in like, a year? That's some next-level creativity right there 
! And I love that he's embracing the DIY ethos and punk spirit in both filmmaking and music – it's like he's one of us, you know? 
. And who knows, maybe this is just the beginning of something epic – a whole new world where film and music blend together in amazing ways 
. I don't know if Wheatley will ever choose between filmmaking and music, but I'm all about it either way – as long as the art keeps flowing 
!
. The fact that he's all about the DIY ethos is right up my alley, I love when artists take control of their own creative process. And can you imagine a live concert where they merge film and soundscapes? Mind blown! 
he's got this whole diy ethos thing going on, which is literally so cool. i love how he sees music as both a distraction from filmmaking and inspiration