Belfast band Wynona Bleach have released their new single, Tangerine, and make their second trip to the SXSW festival in Texas in March. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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The new track was written and recorded in the band's own local pub ballroom/ studio/rehearsal space, produced by Wynona Bleach guitarist Jonny Woods and co-produced by their long standing collaborators, Grammy nominated Andy Bradfield and Avril Mackintosh (The XX, Rufus Wainwright, Bryan Adams), who previously worked on the band’s debut album, 2022’s Moonsoake.
The band, who are signed to UK label Fierce Panda Records (Coldplay, Placebo, Death Cab For Cutie, Desperate Journalist), formed in 2018 and have played a 12-date headline tour of Russia, supported Feeder and more recently Ash. They were nominated for the Northern Ireland Music Prize for both Album and Live Act in 2022.
Tangerine is the third single from Wynona Bleach’s forthcoming second album and "it explores the delicate state one finds themselves in when they find themselves secret crushing on someone they know they’ll never have".
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Melyssa: Our band love bowling on days off on tour, we rehearse above an old pub, and the booze hasn't wiped us out (yet).
How would you describe your music?
Jonny: We were once described in The Irish News as "crunchy bubblegrunge" and we’ve worn that with pride ever since. We’ve always blended the 90s alt rock/shoegaze elements into our own unique take on modern alternative rock with big hooky melodies. That being said, our latest record is leaning further away from the gazey sound we have had in the past and its "More guitarry with less guitars".
Who are your musical inspirations?
James: At the minute I am going through a huge Phil Collins phase, I really respect him a lot to him as both a drummer and a songwriter and the older I get the more I come to appreciate all the Genesis tunes my dad used to play in the car as a kid. As a band, we've all been getting really big into Type O Negative for the last wee while. I remember Jonny sending me one of their songs (Gimme That) last year saying "this is what Wynona Bleach should sound like" and I was immediately on board! The new record (coming 2025) definitely takes big inspiration from both Genesis and Type O Negative, as mad as that sounds, and hopefully you'll know what we mean when you finally get to hear it!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Jonny: Our school had a charity concert with a bunch of local bands. All the bands were older, cooler kids and almost everywhere you looked it was smuggled in cider and cheap lager. It ended in total carnage with loads of goths and punks wrecking the school hall and causing the hospital next door to call the cops. It was never allowed to happen again. I was 13 and it blew my mind.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Melyssa: Wheetus' self-titled debut album!
What’s your favourite song right now?
Carl: Still Got it Going On by Young Gun Silver Fox. Absolute bop, some Hall and Oates vibes from them.
Favourite lyric of all time?
James: That would have to be from the 2003 pop masterclass The Cheeky Song by The Cheeky Girls. When they sing "touch my bum, this is life" I really know where they're coming from. Art imitates life
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Jonny: Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell. The greatest song ever written.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Carl: You can find us on Instagram @wynonableach, TikTok, Facebook, and all streaming services, we also have a mailing list! Which you can sign up for on our website.
Alan Corr
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