Javier & The Wave
on ‘Away’, Freedom, Nature and the Power of Music
Blending reggae, rock, R&B, funk and Latin influences, Javier & The Wave bring a strong sense of joy, connection and optimism to their music. Led by Chilean-born frontman Javier Rocha, the band explores themes of freedom, nature, humanity and unity through a groove-driven sound. Their latest track, ‘Away’, looks at stepping beyond pressure and expectations and finding freedom in the present moment. After playing shows across NSW and appearing at Woodford Folk Festival, the band has continued to build a growing community around their music. Ahead of their appearance at Zest Fest, we caught up with Javier to talk about the song, the band’s journey and their belief in music as a force for connection and joy.
There’s a strong sense of optimism in your music. Where does that come from?
From wanting the world, humanity to get better. There is a lot of darkness in the planet at the moment… wars, injustice, racism environmental destruction. But there is also so much love! Art, culture, conscious communities. I believe that music is one of the pillars that will help humanity heal and open up our minds to a better world for EVERYONE.
The idea of moving “Away” from pressure and expectations is central to the song. What does freedom mean to you personally?
It means transforming suffering into happiness. We cannot escape the downs of life, so being free is to be able to transform them and find the happiness that resides in life itself. That every day is a new chance to grow and live.
Your music connects ideas about nature, culture and humanity with a very groove-driven sound. How do those two sides come together when you write?
Nature is music, music is nature. Humanity is not separate from Nature, and cultures would not exist without it either. So when I write, connecting these topics to the groove that is usually already going in my mind is a very fun and natural process.
You’ve gone from playing in Orange to Woodford Folk Festival and now a growing run of NSW shows. How has your sense of the band changed along the way?
The sense of the band is now much more like a community than just us - the band-members. Since we started, it feels like wherever we go, we add people to our band family, and when I think of the band, I think of the people that we have connected with too. There is always lots of different people, but we definitely have connected with some beautiful humans out there that almost feel like they are also band-members.
Zest Fest is a significant step for an emerging band. What kind of moment are you hoping to create when you step on that stage?
A sense of joy and unity! For people to enjoy themselves and the music. It’s such a joy when you see people dancing and singing to songs that are about love, freedom, justice, unity. All I hope for is for people to enjoy it and dance with us. Joy is contagious!
You’ve talked about wanting to get your music into as many minds and hearts as possible. What do you hope people take away from seeing the band live?
That life is something to celebrate together and Music is a joy that can be shared.
We can heal our past with the present. And the present can influence our future!