Wensdy
Wensdy (AKA Sophia Laurence, born 20 November 1984 [1] in Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK,) is a Scottish recording artist and entertainer currently living in Moray.[2] Wensdy is an only child raised primarily Glasgow, Scotland.[3]
As a young child Wensdy performed in the Royal National Youth Orchestra [1] playing the Violin.[4] Her musical talent was noticed very young and she would find any opportunity to write, play, sing and dance for everyone as well as picking up a lot of other instruments in the orchestra.
Prior to starting her solo career, she studied at Environmental Art at Glasgow School of Art and Dance and Drama at Performance College.[5] Wensdy released her debut single in May 2010.
In 2010, she released 3 studio singles in quick succession: The Puppet, MyB.O.D.Y and GONNA GET IT. All songs received positive feedback from the media and public and played on over 60 worldwide radio stations from their release date,[1] spring 2010. Wensdy assumes creative control over all of her work from the production, rhythm, style and accompanying artwork.
Wensdy cites her primary musical influence as The Black Eyed Peas.[4]
The name Wensdy is Australian slang for Wednesday,[6] Sophia chose this stage name for a number of reasons including the claimed date of the end of the world 12 December 2012 [7] landing on a Wednesday [3]
Wensdy has an ongoing Heroin addiction for which she is currently receiving professional help.
Early years
Born in Lenzie, Scotland her parents divorced when Wensdy was just 2 years of age.
Wensdy began developing musical interest early in her life. She began singing at the age of four years.[4] At age four, Wensdy attended dance classes and would often stand on chairs and sing and dance at home. Her enthusiasm for music and art was not entirely understood because her family was very serious and believed in working class ethic.
However Wensdy would continue to write songs and poems for her family and friends on into adulthood. She listened to artists like Michael Jackson and Handel and sing and dance at her grandmothers house regularly, singing anything from "Beat it", "How much is that Doggy in the window", "I think we’re alone now" for her aunts and uncles.
In addition to this Wensdy would go to her fathers house most weekends and there she would spend the entire Friday evening in his music studio.
Wensdy’s father was a business man but he had aspirations of being a performer when he was in his 20’s. He would host Friday night jam sessions for his friends. Wensdy explains that this was a time when she was very happy and sometimes she could even get up and sing in the studio which she found really exciting.[4]
Around the age of 15 Wensdy’s mother parted from her live-in partner and this was set to greatly affect Wensdy’s life. Her mother took to drinking heavily and by the age of 16 Wensdy was thrown out into the streets of Glasgow without even a pair of shoes.
This was a turning point as Wensdy could yet again focus on her music and art and she shortly after pursued a Portfolio preparation course and got accepted into Glasgow School of Art. Here she was to meet many great friends however she did not complete the course as she felt it lacked real direction. She had great drive and ambition to succeed and felt that Art School was not bringing all of her dreams into reality.[5]
After several Art Exhibitions [8] and a stint at Performance College Wensdy began to write and produce her own style of music.
2010
Wensdy's debut single as a solo artist was "The Puppet" which has received positive feedback.
"The Puppet" was originally titled "The Big Game" and was written over an eight-month period and re-written and re-titled approaching the UK 2010 general election.[9]
"GONNA GET IT" was written by Wensdy over a 2 week period for the 2010 South African World Cup [5] and was released on 11 June. The song was played in South Africa on a number of stations including a live interview on Radio West Coast with Achmat George. At the climax of the World Cup "GONNA GET IT" was played on Ukhozi FM which has an estimated listener ship of 6.67 million.[10] Wensdy was also interviewed by Shaakirah De Vries [11] to be featured in the October edition of the South African 17 Magazine [1][12]
Wensdy often collaborates with American Rappers and did so in "GONNA GET IT" [2] and MyB.O.D.Y
Wensdy describes her music as having a great influence from her earlier life and the desire to make people happy. Wensdy is aiming to release two mini albums this year, the first of which is set to be released in September and the second shortly after.
Wensdy is currently planning a UK tour utilizing art, music, dance and fashion [5]
Sources
- 1 2 3 4 Foxes Den Show (York) Live Interview on Youtube 16 July 2010
- 1 2 Maunside Radio, UCA Radio Big Tommy Live Interview on Youtube 4 July 2010
- 1 2 L107 Radio Interview on Youtube 27 June 2010
- 1 2 3 4 Mearns FM Radio Interview on Youtube 8 June 2010
- 1 2 3 4 Mearns FM Interview Youtube (part 2) 8 June 2010
- ↑ Slang Dictionary
- ↑ Jean-Claude Koven Will the World Really End on 12 December 2012
- ↑ Artesian Gallery Participated in Group show "Out of the Ashes"
- ↑ Big Tommys BFPA Pre-Recorded Interview
- ↑ Whats on SA
- ↑ Shaakirah De Vries Official Blog
- ↑ Contact Shaakirah De Vries at 17 magazine