By: Lisa Steinberg
Photo By Alex Carre
Q) Your music is often described as psych-rock or garage rock, but how would you describe your sound?
A) I tell people it’s a garagey rock and roll band, kinda punk, kinda not. High energy stuff.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Roger Miller, NOFX, Dead Kennedys, Johnny Cash, Decendents, The Beatles, Pavement and The Hives. I go through jazz fazes. It’s all over the place.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “If You Don’t Know.”
A) I had a few months off from touring and was trying to write a bunch in my down time to get the creative juices flowing. I was writing songs in different styles that weren’t necessarily for Wine Lips. When I started writing “If You Don’t Know,” I wasn’t thinking it would be a Wine Lips track. But when I sent a batch of demos to Aurora [Evans], I included that one and she really liked it. I thought it was too pop-y.
I originally thought it didn’t suit Wine Lips and was thinking we were going to cut the song from the record but the label and our engineer, Simon [Larochette], really liked it too, so I might have been getting in my own head there.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) Maybe it’s a nostalgia sort of thing? Remembering the past and hurdles you had to go through to get to where you are. I’m not really sure!
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) I think it works because the video is about a kid that is a bit delusional and thinks he has super powers and in the end that delusion backfires. It sort of plays into the idea of the song being about getting older and realizing things have changed for better or worse.
Q) What makes “If You Don’t Know” the perfect follow up to “Projector?”
A) I think it’s a nice change of pace from “Projector.” It’s more of a mid tempo song, not as “balls to the wall” as we normally shoot for.
Q) Your album TV Dinner came out last month. What are some themes did you explore on it?
A) It’s a lot of themes that seem strangely relevant right now. I’m not sure that was a conscious decision but that’s what came out! Themes include over indulging, conspiracy theory, brain rot and doom scrolling.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) It usually starts with a guitar riff and melody. On the rare occasion maybe it starts with a bass riff or drum groove.
I have voice notes and little ideas written down in my phone that I’ll go through from time to time. Sometimes I find a lyric that will spark something and I’ll run with it!
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) Pretty much all of it. I demo the songs and send them to Aurora. By the time we get to the studio the songs are pretty well structured and sorted for the most part. Simon always has some cool ideas and we’ll change things around on the fly but I kind of have final say on where the songs end up.
Q) What can you tease are some of your favorite tracks you’re looking forward to fans checking out on the album?
A) There are a few different ones on here, Fried 5 is a cool one for people that have been following us for a bit, Aurora sings on that one! Strip Club DJ is a good groove.
Q) What songs off your album are you looking forward to performing live?
A) We have been rehearsing the new stuff and we’re pretty much playing the whole album with the exception of a couple of songs.
I like “Thirst Trap” and “Head on Backwards” right now. “Trip to the Doctor” is a fun one to play. I’m excited to play most of them to be honest!
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your TV Dinner as a whole – either as an emotion or message?
A) Life doesn’t have to be so serious, don’t stress about the little things. Maybe this record can help people forget about their problems or make them feel good for a minute.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) We really like touring in Europe! The crowds are great, the hospitality is awesome and it’s just a fun place to travel around. Compared to Canada, everything is so old here, the architecture and cobblestone streets are beautiful. It’s a nice change of pace for us.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Oh I don’t know, maybe Viagra Boys or Amyl and the Sniffers would be pretty cool.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I’ve been digging into NOFX again recently. I loved them growing up and they just put out a documentary that is really good!
I like that they did everything themselves. They were a terrible band for like eight years before anyone cared and any money was in the picture and I just like that sort of grind for the love of it mentality they had.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) The only reason we are able to do this is because people listen to the music and support the work we’re doing, so thank you for listening. We love you and we’ll see you out on the road!
All Questions Answered By Cam Hilborn