Photos Courtesy of Wondurland
Budding independent artist Abraham Sosa is a Lake Nona High School alumni bursting with artistic flair. A Nonahood native through and through, Sosa has recently worked to create the concept of a musical entity titled “Wondurland.” As he releases his second single “Serendipity” and works to make himself a name in both an acting and musical capacity, we can say we were here to watch Wondurland’s success from the start.
Nonahood News: What drove you to become a musician? And how did you come up with the stage name ‘Wondurland’?
Wondurland: My father is a musician, and I inherited his talents. He taught me a lot, and growing up, I always aspired to create something beautiful. My heroes saved me through art, and it’s what I hope to do for my audience. I came up with a stage name because I want my material to be inclusive and not attached to a specific entity. Wondurland is supposed to be more than an artist. I hope the productions will involve many talents and performers one day.
I was always obsessed with fantasy worlds like Narnia, Oz or, obviously, wonderland. Alice in Wonderland is my favorite animated movie, so I wanted to take that inspiration and run with it. Just switch the “e” with a “u.”
NHN: How would you describe your sound?
W: I would say pop … I leave it as simple as that because, in my eyes, pop music is universal. It incorporates many sounds, and it’s flexible. I want my sound and my material to constantly evolve, so I would say my audience will always be in for something fresh. Expect cinema, though. Always.
NHN: Walk me through a day (or a week) in your life of creating music.
W: That varies; I don’t necessarily have a formula. I’m constantly polishing that aspect of my craft on what would sound dope, unique or poetic. Lyricism is important; you never know how someone interprets that or [how it] imprints on their lives. I aim for the writing to always impact in some way. And for the overall production to be felt. My goal is to create albums, and a body of work incorporates in-depth thought and detail. I’m never just writing random songs. Everything will always be a part of a theme and story.
And I would say I go over this almost every day of every week.
NHN: Which of your projects has been your favorite? Which has been the most challenging?
W: My current project is certainly the most challenging [laughs], but that’s a part of the process and journey. Marketing is extremely difficult as an upcoming artist, balancing being creative but also getting the material out there. [Getting] people to give the product and artist a genuine shot is very challenging. But it wouldn’t be worthwhile if just anyone could do this, so I do my best but always aim to grow and improve. Always. I haven’t worked on enough projects to have a favorite yet, but I would like to take this opportunity and say being friends with Buzz Lightyear til this day is my favorite thing I’ve done as a performer. If you know, you know.
NHN: Besides music, what other passions do you have?
W: I want to do many things within the entertainment industry, but acting means a lot to me. Touching back on the stage name, that’s also a big reason I chose that route because I want Wondurland to be separate from Abraham Sosa or any acting opportunities I have done or will do. I can’t disclose the films I will be appearing in, but they will be released [in] 2022. An indie film and a feature film, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities, the people I worked with, and the experience.
Also cats. I love cats. I have four of my own, and [I am] fostering a newborn kitten. I hope to open many cat sanctuaries, foster all my life, and just help any cat I can.
NHN: What (or who) serves as your inspiration?
W: Inspiration can be pulled all around us; it’s about how we share it. I’ve experienced a lot of beautiful things in life, tragedies, and committed many errors and mistakes. I want to share that vulnerability through song, story, cinema. The debut single “Esmeralda,” for example, is about mistakes with infidelity, and the lack of discipline when temptation arises … the sound and the way I told it through song was inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana.” I’m going to be sharing myself with the audience, and it feels somewhat daunting, but I think about the people that may need it. It’s an important part of why I do this.
NHN: What are some of your dream projects or artists to collaborate with?
W: Anyone that knows me even slightly can tell you I adore The Weeknd [laughs]. That’s my hero, ever since 2011. It’s a dream to work with him one day, maybe even a whole collab album. All of the albums in my head that I want to create are for sure dream projects I intend to bring to life, but I try not to think too much about the artists/talent I’ll work with one day because the future is big and bright. I have no clue what superstar will enter the industry one day, and that goes for whatever you are: singer, producer, engineer. I hope to keep the wheel moving and give people opportunities I once had to fight for.
NHN: Future projects/plans?
W: “Serendipity” has just released. It’s the second single to a project I’m currently completing. It’s a very special track to me. It’s a record I created with the intention to give something euphoric to the audience. The project is a nine-track independent album, and it’s a journey. I think it’s going to be beautiful. I won’t share too much because there’s beauty to enigma, but I’m very eager to accomplish this. And I’m grateful to Nonahood News [for giving] me a platform to speak from the heart. I went to high school at Lake Nona, so this opportunity feels full circle. Very excited and grateful for what’s to come and all who experience Wondurland.
To keep up with the journey of Wondurland, follow @_wondurland on Instagram.
