Q&A: Wingtip Blends Genres and Personal Stories in "Get Well Soon"
Photo by Angela Ricciardi
WITH WINGTIP’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GET WELL SOON AROUND THE CORNER, listeners gear up for a musical treat. This EP showcases his willingness to explore new styles and genres. Collaborating with talented artists like Paul Russel, Bre Kennedy, and others, Wingtip expands his creative horizons, infusing the EP with diverse musical experiences.
Standout track "Goodbye," featuring Paul Russel, is a result of serendipity when a friend's recommendation led to a remarkable collaboration. Wingtip was captivated by Paul's charisma and talent, making the song a powerful addition to the EP.
Beyond his own music, Wingtip co-wrote Céline Dion's chart-topping hit "Imperfections" with Lauv, a surreal experience that influenced his own musical journey. As he prepares for the upcoming months, Wingtip remains eager to explore more genre crossovers and collaborate with artists like Samia, continuing to captivate audiences with his genre-defying sound.
LUNA: Can you tell us about your upcoming EP "Get Well Soon" and the inspiration behind its creation?
WINGTIP: Get Well Soon was my attempt at expanding beyond just myself in the creative process - I worked with a bunch of really talented people both as features (Bre Kennedy and Paul Russell) and as collaborators (Jack Kleinick, OSTON, Theo Kandel), trying to dip my feet into styles and genres that I hadn't previously.
LUNA: "Goodbye" featuring Paul Russel is a standout track on your EP. How did the collaboration with Paul Russel come about, and what was it like working together?
WINGTIP: Most of the time, when somebody says "my friend makes music! You should work with them!" it's a bad idea. But I was in Salt Lake City playing a show, and a friend of a friend happened to be there. We ended up going out for drinks after, and he mentioned his friend 'Paul' who was out in LA and super talented. I was skeptical but decided to check out the music and was floored by his charisma and talent. We got in touch and started working, and the verse on 'Goodbye' just came about naturally. He crushed it.
LUNA: You co-wrote Céline Dion's chart-topping song "Imperfections" with Lauv. How did that opportunity come your way, and how has that experience influenced your own music?
WINGTIP: That was such a surreal experience, and one that happened almost entirely online: we (me, Michael, Lauv) had written the song back in mid-2017, and had basically forgotten about it. It was one of many sitting on a Dropbox in my publisher's office. Then, one day, I got an e-mail that bluntly said: "Celine loves the record. She's putting it out as a single." I freaked out, and had no idea what to think, but a few weeks later it came out, and the album went #1 over Thanksgiving, which I got to celebrate with my whole family. Totally surreal and cool.
LUNA: Launching your first tour with a full band in 2022 must have been an exciting milestone. What were some memorable moments from that tour, and how did it shape your approach to performing live?
WINGTIP: It was so exciting and so challenging to get everything right. Translating the songs, which have a lot of electronic and non-instrumental elements, into a band setting took so much work with Andre (the drummer and MD), but stepping up onstage with a full band completely transformed the experience of playing live for me. There's so much more risk but so much more reward. I think one of the most memorable experiences was playing in Denver, two nights sold out - it was freezing outside, and we weren't sure if people were going to make it out. But to see the faces of all of these people who know you and your music is so unbelievably special.
LUNA: As an artist, you have a unique sound that blends various elements. How would you describe your musical style, and what do you hope listeners take away from your music?
WINGTIP: I struggle to define my music a lot! I usually say "indie pop" or "pop rock" or even just "you'll get it when you hear it," but truth be told the blending of genres is part of the allure, and so I don't stress too much on definitions. I mean this sincerely - I hope my music adds color (good or bad) to people's day. Makes them think, makes them cry, makes them dance, just gets them out of their routine for a moment. That's what my favorite songs do.
LUNA: What themes or messages can we expect to find in this upcoming EP, and how does it differ from your previous work?
WINGTIP: I've tried to be a little bit funnier and a little bit more personal on this project. Some of my earlier songs were more about broad experiences, but this EP specifically touches on sort of autobiographical experiences.
LUNA: In your career, you've had the opportunity to collaborate with several artists. Is there anyone you're particularly eager to work with in the future, and why?
WINGTIP: I'd love to collaborate with Samia, whose music I'm obsessed with right now. I also love doing genre crossovers, and would love to continue doing something in hip-hop or rnb, whether that's with Paul again or with some rappers I've really been into lately, like Kota the Friend.
LUNA: What intentions do you have for the upcoming months?
WINGTIP: I've been working on healthy routines that enable me to stay creative - reading, writing, exercising, eating well. I've been trying to realize that songwriting is, at the end of the day, an art, not a science, and not something you can just spit out. You have to respect the magic of it, I think. So I'm doing that as much as I can.
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