Wildifyed EP
by Axel Wild
​Wildifyed (stylised from Wildified) is the debut EP by Axel Wild, the artistic alias of Axel Drioli, released on Sounding Wild Records. This EP features meticulously selected loops created during Axel’s travels through West Africa with his brother, Ario, as part of the Wings Across Continents expedition by Sounding Wild, his immersive production house. Wildifyed captures Axel’s duality—balancing the patience of a birdwatcher, waiting days for a bird to sing, with the unrestrained energy of a 6 a.m. UK Bass dance floor.
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The loops were composed during dawn car rides in remote deserts, uninhabited islands, and tropical rainforests, where Axel recorded wildlife sounds. Inspired by the expedition, he began sampling these recordings and transforming them into beats, ranging from lo-fi to house, funk, dubstep, and jungle. After returning from his travels, he selected the most significant samples and crafted them into tracks that tell personal stories. These stories explore themes like Axel Munthe’s legacy—the source of his name—brotherhood’s challenges, using dance to combat melancholy, and the powerful narrative of Gregory Coleman, the creator of the Amen Break, who died homeless and penniless, alongside the plight of endangered animals.
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Years of seeking creative triggers culminated in overlanding through two continents, creating, and sharing stories, which guided Axel toward expressing his musical vision. Wildifyed is just the beginning.
Black Crowned Cranes by Ario Drioli
Tracks descriptions:​
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1. Ode to My Blood
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Inspired by the words of Axel Munthe, this track is dedicated to Axel’s parents, who named him after Munthe—a doctor and wildlife lover who devoted his life to animal protection. Although they didn’t know it at the time, they unknowingly named him after someone whose passion for wildlife would mirror his own. The track honours his parents’ creativity in choosing a name based purely on its sound.
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Birds: Moustached Grass-Warbler, Cicada (slowed down, unknown species)
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2. Sunset for Two
One of Ario’s favourite photographs, taken in Senegal in 2023, inspired this track. It features the Black-Crowned Cranes, symbolising the spontaneity and freedom of living and travelling full-time while dedicating their lives to wildlife.
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Birds: Black-Crowned Crane
3. Infinite Love for Mehdi
A melancholic yet danceable track, this piece features the mournful call of the Black-Crowned Tchagra. It serves as a reminder that melancholy can be battled through dancing or simply grooving. Dedicated to DJ Mehdi, who inspired Axel to embrace a genre-less exploration of music.
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Birds: Blue Spotted-Wood Dove (slowed down), Black-Crowned Tchagra, Fiery-Necked Nightjar
4. Coleman’s Call, Amen Revenge
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Inspired by Gregory Coleman, the drummer of The Winstons, who played the iconic Amen Break, this track acknowledges the impact of Coleman’s contribution to electronic music. Coleman died homeless in 2006 without receiving royalties for his work. In line with the ethos of Sounding Wild Records, this track is dedicated to Coleman and all artists who contribute selflessly to art. Part of the royalties from this track will support nature reserves where Axel recorded these bird sounds.
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Birds: Green Woodhoopoe, Great Northern Diver (which represents the spirit of Coleman), European Turtle Dove, Eurasian Curlew, Vinaceous Dove.
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Artwork by the amazing Ed Dingli.
www.eddingli.com
@eddingles
Original picture of the Black-Crowned Cranes by Ario Drioli, Djoudj National Park, Senegal, December 2023
@aariopic
www.ariodrioli.com
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Huge thanks also go to my family and friends who've been supporting me on this musical journey, in many ways. To Edu and James for listening to my EP many times, Gwen for letting me stay at her lovely place, together with Mauri for inspiring me to be creative at all times, Ario for capturing those incredible pictures and videos, Ed for making this amazing artwork, and all who believe in me and my crazy delusional dreams. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Axel
Released on Sounding Wild Records.
