With whispery vocals, dreamy melodies, and poetic lyricism, WISP has quickly become a name synonymous with the new wave of intimate alt-pop. Her viral rise from bedroom recordings to festival stages like Coachella and an upcoming stadium tour alongside icons like Deftones and Korn marks a surreal trajectory. But behind the veil of moody guitars and foggy synths lies a grounded artist whose emotional honesty resonates with a generation in search of softness. We caught up with Wisp just days before the release of her debut album, If Not Winter – a vulnerable, atmospheric body of work drawn from personal journal entries and inspired by ancient Greek poetry. For BTB, the singer opens up about the origins of her name, how her upbringing in San Francisco shaped her sound, as well as her desire to break out from the cagey categorisation of her music.
Crown Virtu More, jacket Baira, shorts Limi Feu
How did the name Wisp come about?
I actually let my followers decide the name! I only had a small following on Instagram at the time, and I posted a story asking for name suggestions. One person replied, “Wisp,” and the second I saw it, I knew it was the one. I felt it matched the vibe of my music: the whispering vocals, the dreamy production. It just fit.
A lot of people discovered you through your song Your face. What was that moment like?
It was overwhelming at first. I’d never really been into social media, so I didn’t understand the volume of it or the reach. But it was super touching and heart-warming to see people connecting to my music. I told my parents right away, and they were really supportive, which made the experience less daunting and helped me take it all on with more confidence.
Full look Angelina Litvynenko
Before starting your career, you were studying computer science. Was music always part of your plan?
I grew up in San Francisco playing violin and classical guitar, and I did ballet too. I was always around music, but I never saw it as a career, more like a dream or a hobby. After guitar, I started getting into more old rock bands like Black Sabbath and Oasis, and in high school, I joined a modern band club and started performing, which made me fall in love with it even more. But when I got to college and started studying computer science, it just felt… wrong. Unfulfilling. Music gave me an outlet to express myself creatively. I haven’t looked back since.
Left Jacket Poème Bohémien, skirt Comme des Garçons, shoes Dirk Bikkembergs
Right Dress PX London
You mentioned growing up in San Francisco’s Sunset district. How did the city influence your music?
Ocean Beach really shaped my sound. It’s not a warm and sunny beach. It’s foggy, cold, and moody. Walking there after school or just to clear my head, I found peace in that gloominess. I think that sense of fog and melancholy really comes through in my soundscapes.
You eventually moved to LA. Was that a tough transition?
Yeah, it was scary. I’d gone to college just ten minutes from home because I didn’t want to leave my parents. But moving to LA felt like the leap I needed. It was like my version of going away to college. I met so many amazing people and really broke out of my shell. I wouldn’t have had the same creative opportunities if I’d stayed back home.
Full look Angelina Litvynenko
Your debut album, If Not Winter, came out this summer. How does it feel to release something so personal?Honestly, I feel good about it. Even though it’s really vulnerable because I based it on journal entries, real experiences, real relationships, I think my lyrics are broad enough for people to relate to them in their own way.
The album title is inspired by the Ancient Greek poet Sappho. Do you often draw from poetry?
Absolutely. I love her work, it’s so elegant and timeless. I bring poetry books into the studio and flip through them during sessions. Sometimes a single word or line sparks an idea. Sappho writes about love in this poised, emotional way that’s really inspiring.
Jacket Angelina Litvynenko, skirt Sean Serror
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard of Wisp before?
Elusive. Ethereal. Crushing. I used to be lumped into the shoegaze or “newgaze” genre, but I’m trying to branch out. I still love alt-rock and shoegaze elements, but I’m also leaning more into pop and electronic. I want the freedom to explore and not be boxed in.
You’re heading on tour soon. What can we expect?
Lots of visuals! I’m really hands-on with the creative direction in music videos, tour screens and lighting. We’re even decorating our tour bus, which is a first for all of us. I want the live experience to be immersive.
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You’re also joining System of a Down, Korn, and Deftones on tour. That is crazy! How do you feel?
I know, right? It still doesn’t feel real. I grew up listening to them, and my bandmates did too. I take a lot of inspiration from Deftones, especially. It’s going to be wild.
Do you have any dream collabs?
PinkPantheress would be amazing. Or Billie Eilish. I think blending our styles could be really unique.
Can you tell us about what’s next for Wisp?
I’m already starting to write again. I just want to keep creating, evolving, and improving my songwriting. The tour will definitely inspire more stories to tell.
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Interview by Gabrielle Valda Colas
Photography by Yaël Temminck
Fashion by Luca Wowczyna
Casting by Imagemachine cs
Hair by Sam Roman
Make-Up by Sacha Chudeeva
