Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in Stranger Things, has taken a bold step in his music career by releasing his debut solo album, Happy Birthday, and launching the Objection tour, which has already sold out. The 22-year-old actor and musician has spent years honing his craft, and his latest project brings together a decade of creativity, collaboration, and personal growth, showcasing his talent beyond acting as he enters this new chapter.
A Multi-Talented Journey from Screen to Studio
Throughout the past ten years, Finn Wolfhard has embraced a variety of roles, both on and off the screen. Best known for tackling supernatural threats in Stranger Things and the Ghostbusters movies, Wolfhard has also expanded into directing and producing, most notably with the horror-comedy film Hell of a Summer. His musical ventures have included writing, recording, and touring with bands like Calpurnia and the Aubreys.
Originally from Vancouver, Wolfhard set an ambitious personal goal in 2022: to compose 50 songs before turning 20 in December of that year. The outcome was varied—some songs faded, others became part of the Aubreys’ repertoire, but several persisted in Wolfhard’s thoughts. It was through developing these ideas with Kai Slater, guitarist for Lifeguard, that Wolfhard’s debut album, Happy Birthday, took form.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know if it was going to be a solo project or not,”
—Finn Wolfhard, Actor and Musician
Wolfhard initially considered releasing his music anonymously. As the recording sessions progressed, he recognized that these tracks represented him individually rather than as part of a group. This realization led to presenting the album under his own name, making the body of work even more personal.
“I wanted to put it under a project name and then realized, ‘Oh, I don’t want to just put it out anonymously. I’d like for people to hear it.’ And throughout the recording, [I discovered,] ‘These songs represent me as myself more than a group or a band.’”
—Finn Wolfhard, Actor and Musician
“So it’s very fun and freeing,”
he added,
“but also terrifying to share that version of yourself.”
—Finn Wolfhard, Actor and Musician
The Sound and Spirit Behind Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday is a dreamy, lo-fi rock album that explores personal themes such as anxiety, confusion, and shifting relationships. Tracks like “Eat” address anxious feelings, while the syrupy title track and the energetic “Objection!” deal with feeling lost and navigating friendships during formative years. Wolfhard collaborated with numerous musicians and friends to bring his vision to life.
“Even though it’s a ‘solo record,’ I’ve worked with a ton of amazing people and musicians to make it what it was,”
—Finn Wolfhard, Actor and Musician
He explained that while some songs feature only his own work, others include his friends, creating a vibrant group energy that calmed his nerves about going solo.
“There’s some songs where it’s just me, but there’s also songs that have close friends on them where it did feel like putting together a band. I feel like it curbs that worry a little bit, because you trick yourself into believing that you’re just actually jamming with your friends.”
—Finn Wolfhard, Actor and Musician
The Creative Process: Songwriting, Recording, and Lo-Fi Aesthetic
Wolfhard’s approach to songwriting was rooted in experimentation and discipline. His challenge to write 50 tracks led to unexpected discoveries, as he shared in interviews about reviving songs with his co-producer, Kai Slater. One example was the track “Trailers After Dark,” which was not a favorite at first but later transformed with Slater’s input.
Recording the album involved an intentional choice to embrace a lo-fi, analog sound. Wolfhard and Slater used four-track and eight-track cassette tapes to create an intimate, atmospheric experience. Wolfhard described the album’s sound as playful, genuine, and filled with imperfections that highlight the musicians’ unique touch. Environmental sounds, such as a whistling kettle, were left in intentionally to create an organic, lived-in ambiance, making listeners feel as though they were present in the room.
Film, Friendship, and Artistic Influence
Working on the album overlapped with Wolfhard’s film projects. After co-directing Hell of a Summer, he continued with postproduction while also crafting songs for Happy Birthday. Wolfhard cited his experiences on film sets and collaborations with actors and musicians as significant inspirations for his music.
Notably, Wolfhard remains closely connected to his Stranger Things castmates. Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington in the hit Netflix series, is a frequent collaborator and supporter, having worked with Wolfhard on music for the Aubreys. Keery has also mixed several of the band’s songs together with Adam Thein. Charlie Heaton, another Stranger Things colleague, is an accomplished musician and drummer who has played in the band Comanechi.
Bringing Songs to the Stage: The Objection Tour
With the release of Happy Birthday, Wolfhard set out on the highly anticipated Objection tour. This live experience marks his return to the stage after a break from touring, promising dynamic performances of reimagined tracks in larger venues. Wolfhard expressed both excitement and anxiety about sharing his music with live audiences, acknowledging the thrill and nervous energy that comes with performing.
The Impact and What Lies Ahead
Finn Wolfhard’s leap into solo music represents more than another credit on his artistic résumé; it marks a moment of growth, vulnerability, and creative risk-taking. Featuring contributions from his friends and drawing inspiration from his multifaceted life, Happy Birthday captures the honest, transitional phase of early adulthood. The album, together with the sold-out Objection tour, signals Wolfhard’s continued evolution as a musician, actor, and storyteller, paving the way for future projects that blend his experiences across music and film.
Happy Birthday is now available, and Wolfhard’s Objection tour is currently underway, with all dates sold out. Fans can expect Wolfhard to continue pushing boundaries and exploring innovative directions in both his music and screen work as he moves forward in his career.
