Pulling Back the Curtain on "The State of Why": An Interview with Dave Wakeham

In a music industry often obsessed with polished, focus-grouped perfection, Dave Wakeham is a refreshing anomaly. Under his thought-provoking project banner, The State of Why, Wakeham writes songs that act as sonic mirrors to the real world—unfiltered, observant, and deeply human.

We sat down with the Hamburg-based songwriter to discuss his creative process, the real-world tragedies that fuel his lyrics, and why he finally decided to step behind the microphone himself.

Becoming the Voice of the Song

For a long time, Wakeham viewed himself primarily as a songwriter and producer, actively searching for the right vocalist to bring his ideas to life. But the search proved frustrating.

"I couldn’t find a singer in this big wide world of really ambitious vocalists," Wakeham admits. "So, I decided to step up and just sing them myself."

The result is an authentic, raw delivery that perfectly matches his lyrical subject matter. Wakeham doesn't write escapist pop; his songs are inspired by everyday occurrences, political doctrines, and the "lost souls" of the modern era.

"Someone once told me I should write nice songs about the world and the human race," Wakeham laughs. "My answer was: which part of the human race? The good? The bad? Scientists? Politicians? Celebrities? The guy down the street? Mister Johnson’s dog? The world we live in isn't an afternoon soap opera set in a quaint, leafy British village."

Track by Track: The Stories Behind the Songs

To truly understand The State of Why, you have to look at the real-world catalyst behind each track. Wakeham’s catalog spans decades of observations, finally fully realized in his studio.

  "Johnny Chainsaw"

• The Origin: Lyrics written in 1994; fully produced in 2024.

• The Story: A character study of a young man living in a sedate, quiet town who suddenly goes off the rails. It captures that jarring, universal news story trope where a seemingly ordinary neighbor shocks a community by becoming a mass murderer.

• The Vibe: "No one has heard about Johnny Chainsaw... until NOW!"

  "I Only Have One Hate!"

• The Origin: Spontaneously birthed during a studio jam session.

• The Story: Born out of sheer fatigue from global political theater, this track targets world leaders and political  factions who constantly point fingers, deflect blame, and actively manufacture division. It is a song about the ambient hatred humming in the background while everyday people just try to live their lives.

  "Break Every Rule"

• The Origin: A direct attack on institutional hypocrisy.

• The Story: This track points a fierce finger at the authority figures, politicians, and elites who strictly demand that everyday people adhere to the law and be "decent citizens," all while quietly breaking those very same rules behind closed doors.

  "War Toys" & "Warriors"

• The Origin: Deeply rooted in human psychology and geopolitical conflict.

• The Story of 'War Toys': Inspired by a heartbreaking, real-life conversation Wakeham had on a train with a mother who lost her 18-year-old son to war. The track traces the psychological pipeline of a child obsessed with toy guns who eventually grows up to become a soldier, begging the chilling question: How far are humans going to go with their weapons?

• The Story of 'Warriors': Written at the onset of the war in Ukraine, this track captures the sudden, collective cultural shift where global conversations instantly pivoted to defense, militarism, and survival.