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Once immersed in England's 21st century punk scene, singer/songwriter Jacob Slater found even more success as the leader of indie rock outfit Wunderhorse. The melodic guitar hooks and introspective lyrics of their 2022 debut album, Cub, helped earn them a devoted following at home. They followed it with their 2024 sophomore album Midas.

As a teen, Slater was the drummer in the short-lived punk group the Dead Pretties, who broke up in 2017 after releasing a handful of chaotic singles. Slater withdrew from music, swearing off drugs and finding inner peace as a part-time surfing instructor in the coastal English town of Newquay. (He briefly tapped back into punk in a different but still major way, portraying Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook in the Danny Boyle-directed mini-series Pistol.) Slater eventually formed Wunderhorse -- named after Gene Autry's equine companion Champion the Wonder Horse -- as an outlet for his own music during the COVID-19 pandemic. He eventually recruited guitarists Harry Fowler and Oscar Browne, bassist Pete Woodin, and drummer Jamie Staples to flesh out the sound he wanted. (Browne left the group before Wunderhorse became an official concern.) Fans enjoyed Slater's youthful perspective and the rock & roll crunch to match, and Cub earned praise from many publications in England thanks to songs like “Teal,” “17,” and “Leader of the Pack.”

Wunderhorse spread their sound even further with plum opening gigs for acts including Pixies, Fontaines D.C., and Sam Fender, many of whom praised their performances in the press. An American tour followed in 2023, as did a spot on the Woodsies stage at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival alongside the Last Dinner Party, Maneskin, and a Smiths cover group assembled by Blossoms and Rick Astley. The single "Midas" was released in early 2024 as a precursor to their sophomore album of the same name. Working with producer Craig Silvey (The National, Arcade Fire), Wunderhorse issued Midas in mid-2024 before embarking on a full U.K. headline tour. ~ Mike Duquette