Summer is here and with it all the promise the countless weeks of sunshine hold: care-free days spent at the beach, budding romance, and long conversations that stretch into those hot nights Jonathan Richman loved so much. But what happens when the party’s over? When the rain inevitably returns?
Vancouver’s Winona Forever have found a way to bottle those summertime blues, infusing their quirky pop songs with just enough melancholy to elicit a languid yearning sigh. The band might barely be old enough to drink legally but the precocious guitars and tight drums prove they are both wise and world-weary well beyond their years.
Their debut self-released EP Yacht Rock is available on their website and makes for a melodic, danceable soundtrack to a summer that will inevitably come to an end.
The four-piece recently made it to the semifinals of this year’s CiTR Shindig! contest and will be performing at the Khatsahlano Street Party on Saturday, July 9. We caught up with them to find out why exactly they aren’t fond of having their ass cakes slapped at the club.
Who are you?
Rowan (vocals and guitar), Ben (vocals and guitar), Alex (drums) and Cole (bass).
Where are you from?
All born in beautiful British Columbia.
How do you describe your sound?
Sometimes summery, sometimes bummer-y, hopefully dance-y.
Who are your major musical influences?
Alex: Death Grips, We Are The City. Ben: John Frusciante, Avi Buffalo. Rowan: John Lennon, Archy Marshall.
Favourite sandwich?
Ben: The asian barbecue pork belly sandwich from Red Truck Brewery. Rowan: Grilled cheese with avacado.
Best live music performance you’ve ever seen?
Ben: Sunflower Bean at an East Van warehouse-y place last April (they shred).
Closest you’ve ever come to death?
Rowan: I fell in a lake once.
Finish this sentence: When I’m not writing and playing music, I spend my time…
Ben: Procrastinating writing and playing music. Also, sleeping.
First record/CD you ever bought?
Alex: School of Rock soundtrack. Ben: Beastie Boys, Licensed To Ill.
What is your spirit animal and why?
Cole: Easy. A two-and-a-half headed snake with a monkey’s body and a jellyfish for a tail cause I’m sick of random-ass swimsuit models spanking my ass cakes at the club.
What was the name of the first band you ever played in?
Alex: The Metal Puffles, when I was 7. Rowan: When I was 13 I was in a band called Orange Blonde & Connor. Ben: Left-Handed Miracle.
Super secret fact about you that (almost) no one knows?
Cole: I once promised my best friend that I wouldn’t tell anyone he wets the bed most nights.
What was the best crowd you ever played for?
Rowan: We played a release show for our Yacht Rock EP, and the crowd decided to start a mosh pit in the basement of the Matador.
• Catch Winona Forever at the Khatsahlano Street Party, July 9.
