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Winchester 7 & the Runners, welcome to VENTS! Can you tell us about your new album, Catacomb Songs?
Winchester 7: Thank you! We’re happy to be included.
Phil: Yes, thank you.
Jack: It’s a fine magazine you’ve got, indeed.
Winchester 7: So, we first began recording our prior album, Argos Holiday, together in the studio and then found ourselves forced to finish it remotely as a result of lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Once it was out, we really expected to be able to tour to support it and even went as far as scheduling some dates. But, then travel requirements began to change and the pandemic raged on.
As a result, we really leaned into that experience of working remotely and put all of our energies on writing and recording Catacomb Songs. It ended up being recorded and mixed entirely remote to one another, including us all being remote to our mix engineer.
Phil: The wonders of technology…
In three words, what is the essence of the album?
Jack: Adaptation.
Phil: Variety
Winchester 7: Hope
What was it like creating an album via Zoom?
Winchester 7: I think that it took a little getting used.
JacK: There were some technical challenges around getting the audio synced up.
Winchester 7: In the end, we really used it more for band meetings and rehearsals and leveraged the collaboration functions in Pro Tools for the recording process, working out of our home studios.
Phil: I have a little difficulty with Zoom mute, from time to time. But, I am more comfortable with the Pro Tools.
What is your favourite lyric on the album?
Winchester 7: For me, it’s always the last that we worked on. So, I’ll have to go with “If dead celebrities can have new beginnings, why can’t you and I?”
Phil: I like Up on the 13th Floor quite a bit. It’s a quirky tune that includes the chorus, “But, maybe if I knock on wood and rub my lucky rabbit’s foot and I never break the chain, that bad luck won’t get me again”. I think that we all would like to be done with the bad luck.
Jack: I suppose I’m partial to, “No, you don’t need to show me the way round, I was down long before I hit the ground” from The Song That You Sing. I like some of the other tunes more, but love that line.
The ukulele is the marmite of music instruments, what drew you to it?
Jack: This one’s yours, mate.
Winchester 7: Marmite? Ok, so I had to look that up. As I understand it, it’s a bit of a love-hate kind of thing. So, I guess I’d have to challenge that my ukulele is not your father’s, exactly. It’s most often electrified and run through effects to come out with something that doesn’t sound exactly like a traditional ukulele…or even a guitar, really. It’s sort of a bridge between the two, but the instrument itself sounds as its played and, while I appreciate tradition, I like to rock.
Jack: That he does.
Which artist had the greatest influence on your sound?
Winchester 7: The Beatles.
Jack: The Rolling Stones
Phil: Joy Division.
Winchester 7: We draw from a lot of different influences, really; classic, punk, new wave, alternative…We put together a Spotify playlist with 50 of our favorites towards that end which we sometimes put on in the background or when we’re traveling.
Aside from other artists, what inspires you?
Winchester 7: I think that I’m personally inspired by good movies or television though I wish I had said fine art.
Jack: It’s funny. you say that. I’m inspired by fine art, personally. Give me a good Van Gogh and I…nah, I’m only kiddin’. I’m often and truly inspired by a pint, if not these lot. I take a decent picture too.
Phil: I like to paint and read stories.
Covid permitting, what are your plans for 2022?
Winchester 7: Well, I’m really hoping that we finally get on the road, this time.
Phil: Please, let me travel again! I am developing agoraphobia. I need to leave my house.
Jack: It’s ok, big guy. We’ll be together again, before you know it. Yeah, so for me, touring is right up there. That, and watching the new season of Stranger Things, finally.
Winchester 7: Oh, I can’t wait! But, what, will Eleven be like sixteen or something? I’m hoping that they’re not all getting old enough that they decide to reboot with younger actors already.
All: Thanks again VENTS Magazine!
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