Wax Chattels

From top-to-bottom: Peter Ruddell, Amanda Cheng and Tom Leggett performing in 2018.

Wax Chattels are a three-piece noise rock band from Auckland, New Zealand. The band, who describe themselves as "guitarless guitar music", is made up of Peter Ruddell on keyboards and vocals, Amanda Cheng on bass and vocals, and Tom Leggett on drums. Their self-titled debut album, Wax Chattels, was released by Flying Nun Records and Captured Tracks in 2018, followed by Clot in 2020.

History

Wax Chattels was formed in 2016 by Ruddell, Cheng, and Leggett, who originally all met whilst studying jazz at Auckland University before reconnecting a number of years later at a Preoccupations show.

Their self-titled debut album, Wax Chattels, was recorded over two nights, with sessions beginning at 8pm and running through to 4am. Released in May 2018, the album peaked at number 37 on the Official Aotearoa Music Charts Top 40 Albums and at number 7 on the Top New Zealand Albums chart.

They released their follow-up album, Clot, in 2020.

Discography

Albums

  • Wax Chattels (2018)
  • Clot (2020)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Work(s) nominated Category Result Ref.
2018 New Zealand Music Awards Wax Chattels Best Alternative Artist Nominated
2019 Taite Music Prize Taite Music Prize Finalist
Best Independent Debut Award Finalist
2021 Aotearoa Music Awards Clot Best Alternative Artist Nominated
Taite Music Prize Taite Music Prize Finalist

References

  1. ↑ Glickman, David (21 May 2018). "Wax Chattels: Wax Chattels". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Gotrich, Lars (14 March 2018). "Wax Chattels' 'In My Mouth' Will Shatter You Into Post-Punk Surrender". NPR. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  3. 1 2 Stamp, Tony (17 May 2018). "Wax Chattels on their 'guitarless guitar music'". RNZ. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Phares, Heather. "Wax Chattels — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 Jenkins, Dafydd (21 April 2018). "Wax Chattels are a bunch of Kiwi jazz school grads who made their debut LP across two hectic all-nighters". Loud and Quiet. No. 124. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "Aotearoa Music Charts – Wax Chattels". Official Aotearoa Music Charts. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Wax Chattels - Muzic.NZ - Musicians & Bands". Muzic NZ. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  8. ↑ Lochrie, Conor (2 October 2020). "Album Review: Wax Chattels – Clot". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  9. 1 2 "AMA | Awards". Aotearoa Music Awards. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "Finalists for 2019 Taite Music Prize announced". Stuff. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Taite Music Prize – Classic Award Winner + Indie Debut Finalist Announcement – Muzic.NZ". Muzic.NZ. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  12. ↑ "L.A.B, The Beths and Tami Neilson are among finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2021". RNZ. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2026.