Exclusive Video Premiere: Wyland Cover the White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’

New Jersey indie-rockers Wyland have immersed themselves in the studio as they work on their third EP to date, and throughout that process, the trio say their Coldplay- and Mumford and Sons-inspired sound has already transformed since their formation a mere two years ago. Today, Diffuser is happy to premiere Wyland's cover of the White Stripes classic, “Seven Nation Army,” a song they believe is every bit emblematic of their evolution as a band.

As soon as the very first notes of Wyland’s “Seven Nation Army” cover kick in, you know you’re in for a transformation of the iconic Elephant original. Frontman Ryan Sloan opens the tune as a rich, emotive piano ballad. Nevertheless, the band finds a happy balance between their inspired take and the signature gritty elements of the original we have come to love.

Sloan -- who helms the tune alongside singer Joni Fatora -- says the cover “showcases [Wyland’s] growth as a band in terms of songwriting and just ‘our sound’ overall. We saw this cover as an opportunity to preview some of that growth.”

“This is the first cover we’ve ever recorded because not only did we feel so strongly about it, but we received great reception from people when we premiered it at [Gentlemen of the Road Stopover] in Seaside Heights,” Wyland’s Mauricio Salazar adds. “We had people coming up to us left and right asking where they could get our version of it, so we tracked it and captured the experience live.”

Wyland dropped their You’re in the World, Get Off Your Feet EP back in February, and they’re now recording a follow-up. The band has launched a crowdfunding campaign for their latest effort, and you can learn more about the EP and contribute to its making at this location.

The trio -- which is rounded out by Richard Joyce on drums -- has a handful of tour dates coming up in and around their stomping grounds. They’ll play two shows in Hoboken, N.J., before the month’s out, and then they have a show in South Orange, N.J., on Oct. 2. Get more details on the band’s website.