Today, April 28th, is apparently Wizard Rock awareness day. I was not aware of this. Perhaps Wizard Rock Awareness Day needs an Awareness Day.
If you don’t know what wizard rock is, let me help you to become aware of it.
Actually it’s pretty self explanatory: rock music about wizards, for wizards, by wizards. All of the bands sound different, some are very rock and roll, others have a more dance/ electronica vibe. Some even refer to themselves as “Wizard rap” or “Wiz hop”. The thing they have in common is that their personas and lyrics are inspired by the “Harry Potter” series.
It was started by Harry and the Potters as a joke, but as their friends got into it and started forming their own bands, it grew into a genuine genre, and more importantly, a bonafide subculture.
Okay, I know it sounds weird to you, but to me it’s so natural. Listening to Wizard Rock is just like listening to regular (muggle) music. I’ve even gotten over the embarrassment of explaining it to people. In fact I kind of like having this secret genre of music that my friends and I can keep to ourselves.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to participate in Wizard Rock Awareness Day! The way I see it, the more friends I have to share the secret of Wizard Rock with, the better!
Even if you’re pretty sure you won’t like it (in which case, you, my friend, take yourself way too seriously), I challenge you to give these bands a listen and tell me what you think!
Oliver Boyd the Remembralls - singer/ songwriter from Toronto, very reminiscent of Amos Lee.
Ministry of Magic- fun, and totally danceable. These five guys have amazing voices!
The Whomping Willows- Some of the best songwriting to be found in Wizard Rock.
The Moaning Myrtles- Just because they’re transparent doesn’t mean they’re easy.
