He has perhaps one of the most recognizable last names in rock & roll. Kip Winger is a testament to the belief that rock & roll doesn’t die… it just lies dormant for a short time, only to return in a new and unexpected form. Winger’s latest incarnation comes in the release of his newest solo album From the Moon to the Sun, which continues to explores the musician/composer’s venture into more melodic and diverse sounds. We caught up with Kip and asked him a few questions about both his experiences with Winger and the evolution of his musical career…
PCZ: Working both with Winger and as a solo artist, you have incorporated a wide range of musical styles. How do you respond to those who are still quick to dismiss you as a ‘hair metal’ musician?
KW: Ignorance is bliss!
PCZ: How was the decision made to select comic book artist Ethan Van Sciver to create the album art for Winger IV? Were you previously aware of Sciver’s work before he started on the artwork for your album?
KW: A friend who is really into comics knew him and turned me on to him. Ethan is really cool and wanted to contribute to the cause.
PCZ: Describe the differences and challenges you face when working on developing a film score. Was this something that you had always aspired to do? Have you any ambitions to write your own screenplay?
KW: No, I’m about the music. Film scores are very creative. The main difference is that when writing to a scene, you’re trying to musically describe the emotion rather then being free to write whatever you are feeling.
PCZ: How do you approach producing another musician? Is there ever an impulse to take too much control or is it easier to just sit back and guide the music?
KW: I focus on getting good performances out of musicians and bringing out the best in the song. The song is everything. Then, the performances.
PCZ: Now that Winger has done a bit of touring this year, can fans assume that the band is back for the foreseeable future? If so, will you also continue with your other projects (solo work, music producing, etc.)?
KW: Winger is what it is. We continue to write new stuff for people who are listening and when we play live, we enjoy performing the old stuff. But everyone in the band has moved on. I’m working on classical music at the moment and a three piece power trio I have called Blackwood Creek. I’m also promoting my solo record. Reb (Beach) is off in Whitesnake, Rod (Morgenstein) is Teaching at Berkley and John (Roth) is playing and teaching.
PCZ: You co-wrote a fantastic (and very creepy) song called ‘Gail’ with Alice Cooper. What was the experience like writing, playing and touring with Alice Cooper?
KW: (Working with) Alice Cooper was an amazing experience for me. I went from waiter to rock star overnight. I was with Alice for a few years and learned a lot about touring, recording, etc. It was the perfect platform to springboard me into my own band.
“I am an artist and I find it detestable to write the same song over and over again.”
- Kip Winger
PCZ: Years later, do you feel at all awkward about playing or talking about the song ‘Seventeen’? Has the resurgence that the song has received by its inclusion in the Guitar Hero video game made it more accessible to a new generation of music fans?
KW: Yes and it’s paying quite well! ‘Seventeen’ was a big hit song, who can complain about that. It’s awesome, but now “she’s only 35″.
PCZ: Pull was a significant departure from what many considered to be ‘the Winger sound’. It contained political themes and drew more from your personal prog-rock influences then the previous two albums. Is Pull still your favorite Winger album and how do you feel it holds up fifteen years later?
KW: Pull was a career-defining record for us. At a time when grunge was hitting big we released our best record and it did pretty well considering the climate of the business at the time. More importantly, it proved that we weren’t musically bankrupt like some of our many contemporaries. After that, no one was coming to the shows and we all wanted to do something else, so I went off to do other stuff. In 2006 came Winger IV which is FAR more sophisticated then anything we have done lyrically and melodically.
PCZ: After working on a couple of independent labels, what advantages do you think signing with Frontiers Records gives you?
KW: You go where people support you. In this business the ‘flavor of the month’ is really short now. The big companies are really good at marketing and it all about ‘hits’. Success is based off of how much bread you make them. I’ve been there… but in the end I am an artist and I find it detestable to write the same song over and over again. It’s like asking a painter to paint the same thing time and time again…. I can’t grow that way.
PCZ: What new music are you currently listening to?
KW: I listen to a bit of everything, It’s hard to find things that move you emotionally. I don’t listen to much, usually 20th century orchestral music.
We’d like to thank Kip Winger for taking the time to answer our questions. Formore information about Kip’s ongoing projects (both solo and collaborations) visit kipwinger.com. Or, you can check out the official Kip Winger and Blackwood Creek MySpace pages to hear samples of their music and become their friend!
Special thanks go out to Chrisopher Morris from Nicodemus and Rick Emerson for helping us out with this interview!
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