AN INTERVIEW WITH WINO GANDARA
A brand new single from Wino Gandara hits a vintage synth-wave sweet spot that feels amazing to listen to and comes through with a seriously heavy-handed cinematic backbone that all comes together to create this atmosphere that you don't really want to step out of.
"The Journey" feels like the song you'd hear during a montage in an '80s action film where someone's training for a big fight and that aesthetic is completely nailed from beginning to end.
The choice of soundscapes and synths are outstanding and the track is packed with inspirational lyrical approaches that give you vigor and let the track feel alive and breathing.
You get saxophone along with electric guitar segments that all just really make this track massive when they are put in one place.
The song is certainly not without its vastness and that's an element that's always floating in the background keeping you swimming through the track at all times.
This was beautifully done with a lot of attention to detail but it never loses the heart it was built from so you always have this feeling in the center of your body when listening to this song and that feeling is so positive that it's almost driving.
This is one of those songs you listen to the first thing when you wake up and it'll help you mold your day to that positive energy.
There's definitely a wondrous array of textures throughout the course of the track and the authenticity of sticking with this genre is so perfected that everything works like a charm.
The song literally feels like a track that you heard when you were growing up and I think that's part of the point. Hitting that vintage soundscape is key with this type of music and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but with this track it's beautifully done.
The arrangement is very well built and put together and the song builds up to climaxes and settles back down again, giving it that alive and breathing feel.
Plus we all love songs with musical hooks and I think we missed that a lot but with this song, there's tons of it and so a lot of this stuff bounces around in your head for hours after the song has ended and that to me is just smart songwriting.
This is one of the most satiating and addictive songs I've heard in a long time and it's also one of the ones that really nailed the genre.
With such a wonderous release, we wanted to have a chat with Wino to find out here this all comes from and what may be next.
Here's what happed.
Okay, let's start with "The Journey"! This track had a vast synth-wave feel with smooth melodic vocals that really takes you away to another place! How did this release come about?
I have been working on my first album as a composer, producer and interpreter for the last couple of years. It has been an amazing road, but at the same time, it has been very challenging. It takes a lot from you, you gotta lose your fears and dream big, because only if you believe it, then it can happen.
So, I wanted to include a song that represents all those moments in life when you decide to fight for your dreams and follow your own path, with its ups and downs, and twists and turns. Basically, the times when you’re ready to face whatever is coming and you start your journey into the unknown.
I also wanted this song to have a dreamy vibe that can take you back to the 80’s, with some fresh guitar and sax solos that you can really enjoy. And every time you put on your headsets and close your eyes, it's going to make you travel and live your own journey again.
How did this all start for you as an artist?
Actually, everything started at home. As a kid one of my biggest influences was my older brother, he used to play guitar and inspired me to start playing too. I remember I used to stay at home grounded and during that time we would play some records and every once in a while he would teach me a new riff. He was the only member of my family who supported me at that time.
The first riff he taught me was the intro of Black Sabbath’s A National Acrobat. Playing that for the first time in my life made me feel so powerful, it’s a feeling that can’t be explained but I still feel it when I play what’s on my mind. Then, I started to play for many hours a day until I was finally able to play the songs I admired. Basically I learned to play alone until I was older and I finally got the chance to study music professionally.
That’s why I believe that no matter how hard your journey is, you have to keep fighting for what you love. I’ve learned that you have to face life with a heart of steel, never giving up on your dreams.
What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
Inspiration for me can be a little hard to describe because it comes at moments when I’m at peace with myself and everyone around me. I’m not the type of person who can use strong emotions such as anger or sadness to compose a riff or melody, instead I prefer to focus on my songs when I feel untroubled or content.
This single has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
I’m a very open minded person and I listen to almost every genre because there’s always something you can learn from them. However, my biggest influences are Black Sabbath, Metallica, Tool, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Iron Maiden, Brett Garsed, Rata Blanca, Planet X, Dream theater and some others.
What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I like to use my free time productively and I try to stay active. I enjoy live music, learning to play new instruments and participating in guitar workshops. From time to time, I also enjoy playing video games. I'm a fan of different classic titles and their soundtracks such as Castlevania. A source of musical inspiration, no doubt!
I live my life to the fullest, I try to make each moment count and I hold on to what really matters and makes me happy.
Who's in your headphones right now?
Lately I've been listening to one of my long-time heroes, Steve Vai. It's funny how you can listen to different genres and styles, but in the end, you return to listen to the ones that really left a mark on you. Also, I have been listening to Steve Emm, yeah, another Steve! He performs with Manuel Trabucco, the saxophone player who also plays in “The Journey”. Great band!
Are you doing any live performances right now?
For the moment I’m focusing all my energies on the release of my next singles.I will be doing live performances by the beginning of next year. With my band, we're planning the upcoming tour to promote the new releases, so you can expect different dates on several locations. I’ll keep posting all the details on my website and social media.
But who knows, maybe some surprise gigs before that.
Do you record these at a big studio or do you have a home studio set-up?
Actually, both. I do most of my work in my own studio at home, I find it very practical to be able to record whenever inspiration strikes. However, I have been working with different producers at their studios as well.
What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I was looking forward to this question! My next single called “Ad Astra” will be released by the end of October this year, and it will be available on all digital platforms. Also, I’ll be releasing the musical video on different platforms such as Vevo.
This new song will feature Lukky Sparxx on the vocals again, and you’ll be listening to the first of many songs featuring Alessandro Bertoni on the keyboards. This song is going to rock you from your chair into a world of machines taking over humanity.
Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Don’t forget to follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube and Spotify channel to stay tuned to more content.