Having grown restless with the familiarity of the American midwest, Benjamin Dunn left his childhood home in Illinois and embarked on a journey that would forever change his life.

Like Kerouac’s motley crew in On the Road, Dunn headed West one hitchhike ride at a time, searching for something more meaningful. He emerged along the California coast and headed north, where he slept along the beaches under a canopy of stars.

It was in Santa Cruz where Dunn discovered a luscious sanctuary that came to lay the foundation for the vintage pop vibe found throughout The Wild Wild’s debut EP.