Biography
Wasia Project is the English sibling duo of Olivia Hardy and Will Gao, who grew up between two cultures, based in the UK while making regular trips to visit their mother's family in China[5]. Hardy has said that bicultural upbringing instilled an openness to difference and to absorbing new influences, a trait she credits for the duo's genre-hopping instincts[6].
Both siblings came up through classical training, Hardy on violin via the Suzuki method and Gao at the piano, before turning that foundation toward pop songwriting as teenagers[5]. They released their debut single, "Why Don't U Love Me," in 2019, followed by their first EP, How Can I Pretend?, in 2022, and a second EP, Isotope, in August 2024[5].
Gao maintains a parallel acting career, including a starring role in Netflix's Heartstopper, a show that has also featured the duo's music, and he has said the two creative pursuits feed each other rather than compete, noting that being immersed in one discipline tends to free up space for the other[6].
By 2026, Wasia Project had built a global following of more than 1.2 million listeners and surpassed 200 million career streams, sold out a UK headline tour within minutes, and taken support slots on tour with Laufey and Tom Odell, alongside festival dates including All Points East and Lollapalooza Germany[9].
In April 2026 they released the single "2515," produced with St. Francis Hotel, which the pair described as colder and darker than anything they had made before, a song fueled by anger whose sonic mirrors the racing thoughts that come with it[1][2]. They framed it as the start of what they called their "journey through night," the idea that would go on to shape their debut album, Nocturne, released via AWAL Recordings on September 18, 2026[8].
References
- Wasia Project Unveils New Single "2515": A Sonic Journey Through Night — Band statement on the song's darker direction, production details with St. Francis Hotel, and release date.
- Wasia Project have shared '2515', a darker turn — Coverage of the single's release, orchestral/electronic production, and framing as a new songwriting chapter.
- Wasia Project's "2515" Lyrics Explained: The Trap of Being Loved Only When You're Falling Apart — Thematic breakdown of the song's narrative arc.
- Wasia Project 2515 Single Review: A Dark New Era for the Duo — Review describing the sonic departure from the duo's earlier sound and career context.
- Wasia Project — Biographical overview: formation, members, discography, and career milestones.
- Wasia Project on their latest EP, 'Isotope' — Interview covering the siblings' bicultural upbringing, classical training, and Gao's acting career.
- Wasia Project glide us through a dizzying spell of alt-pop with '2515' — Review analyzing the song's production and themes.
- Wasia Project announces debut album 'Nocturne' out September 18 — Announcement of the duo's debut album, release date, and label.
- Rising Global Alt-Pop Sibling Duo Wasia Project Release '2515', A Late-Night Drift Through Modern Disconnection — Career context including streaming numbers, tour history, festival dates, and press recognition.