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Debut EP, ‘Kids,’ is packed full of synths and nostalgia.

The Wild Wild was born out of a love of globetrotting and ‘80s synth sounds. The former helped The Wild Wild — performance moniker of Benjamin Dunn — discover the beauty of the world. The latter helped shape the sound of his debut EP, Kids, which was released earlier this year.

We caught up with The Wild Wild, who currently resides in rural Pennsylvania, to find out more about his music, his many travels, and his appreciation of hopeless romantics.

Homebase: Pennsylvania

Your EP is titled Kids. Do you feel the emotion of this EP is something we maybe let slip away in adulthood?

I think most of us don’t lose it, we just maybe forget. I mean that we forget, sometimes, the beauty of the simple things, especially the freedom of youth, and like middle school girlfriends, and weird friends we had as kids, memories and vibes that actually turn out to always stay with us through life. I feel that is what these songs represent, the world of our youth, and its magic, and a reminder to chill for a sec. I want to take people to that summer simple world of when we you cruising on your bike through the hood with a cigarette you stole from your uncle.

What initially drew you to ‘80s synth sounds?

I love ‘80s music, ergo I love the things that make it tick — the synths, the engineering, and the production of great ‘80s hits — so I began working with analog synths, especially the (Roland) Juno-106. It’s all over my recordings.

You’ve described your sound as "vintage pop for hopeless romantics." Why is it important that we still have hopeless romantics in the world?

I think that the world moves for love, and if no one is singing about it, or passionately proclaiming it from the rooftops, then we’ll all turn into a bunch of lifeless zombies looking for anything to distract us from our hearts. This world, I think, is meant to be enjoyed, and in my small experience it’s better enjoyed with someone you enjoy.

What inspired you to start hitchhiking at 18?

I was just ready to get out of the Midwest for a while. I had no plans. I just ended up in California.

Tell me about your year and a half living on the beach. What's your fondest memory from that time?

Well, the best thing about hitchhiking, and sleeping on the beach, on the West coast is Highway One, seeing Big Sur for the first time, camping near there somewhere, and climbing up to a waterfall that you can crawl down and get into — hippie secret I guess. All of those things, and endless more.

I read you studied theology during your travels while you were in New Orleans. What led you to religious study?

I actually studied theology in the Midwest. I lived in New Orleans after Katrina and played music at a church there. I think I'm attracted to anything that has color, and vibrancy, theology included.

How do you get out and gig in your current home of rural Pennsylvania? How far away is the nearest venue?

I do live in the woods, pretty much, but I work at a studio, and with friends, in Harrisburg, and Lancaster. As far as venues, we’re not far from any venue. 

Your philosophy is to have your "eyes wide open to beauty and magic." Is modern technology hurting our ability to do this? Is an entire generation missing out, or are they capturing it all on Instagram?

I don't know. I feel like an artist will find a way to say something, or at least attempt to, with any medium, including Instagram. My Insta is a prime example, you should check it out, I bet you've never seen anything like it.

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