Roll of the Dice: 10 questions with Winona Fighter

2024 has already been huge for Winona Fighter! The band's fantastic songwriting and epic live sets earned the attention of Rise Records, who signed the band earlier this year and released the killer new video “I'm In The Market To Please No One.” Now the trio is kicking off a tour alongside scene legends Bayside, Finch and Armor For Sleep. Somehow in light of all the successes, the band found the time to chat with TGEFM for our latest Roll of the Dice interview.

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Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview! Congrats on joining the Rise Records roster and the new record coming later this year. Let's talk a little bit about how the record came into existence and came together. What was going on at the time that helped kickstart the storyboarding and filming process?

(COCO):I wrote our single ‘IM IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE' alone in my bedroom. I had found an old therapy exercise where I wrote a note to a (horrible) former partner. Instead of cowering away from the topic like I usually do, I decided it was time to use the voice Winona Fighter has and finally write about it. I wanted to start a conversation, help other people in this situation start a conversation, hell maybe even empower someone to take their life back and create their own narrative. The video come along with ease. We wanted the vibe of the video to match the production of the song. How do we make such a hard topic more palatable? Upbeat music production and a ripping, energetic music video to boot. The lads over at We're All Gonna Die (video and production) really brought it to life!

You're touring with Bayside, Armor For Sleep and Finch this Spring. What impact have those bands had on your sound? How have the crowds been receiving Winona Fighter?

(DAN): Jack from Bayside is an absolute RIPPER on guitar and doesn't shy away from a guitar solo. Seeing him play live has been inspiring me to not shy away from taking a lil solo. But don't force me to duel him…I will lose 10 out of 10 times.
(COCO):I first saw Bayside at the HOB in Boston. They were direct support for Taking Back Sunday (The Mezingers were first of three). I remember being in awe. I think the thing they've impacted the most for me is that music can be heavy but also extremely melodic and catchy! I hope their fans fall in love with us like I did when I saw them as openers! 

Winona Fighter is from Nashville. It's such an interesting, diverse and generally inspiring place that has bred so much amazing music, from country to punk and every genre between.  Why do you think the area churns out so many brilliant musicians and songwriters? How does the area feed into the music you are writing, if at all?

(AUSTIN): It's more of a location where musicians flock because of the music industry in Nashville. It's a very welcoming community of musicians and creatives which allows for all sorts of collaboration! 
(DAN): There's a huge energy and drive from being in a city where music is at the forefront of everyone's mind, and that forces you to keep working hard.
(COCO): When I first moved to Nashville the non-country scene was a pretty small pool. I'd frequent The Family Wash and Cafe Coco multiple times a week just to find a scene I felt at home with. That's how writing for Winona Fighter actually started. I missed the scene I grew up in (the Boston punk scene) so much and the Nashville scene fed my soul a little but not completely… so I figured why not take matters into my own hands? Although the non-country scene was small, it was mighty. The talent radiating from it  was so infectious it was only a matter of time for out of towners to catch on, move into the neighbourhood, and make a stamp of their own. If you're kind and hardworking, people are going to want to lend a hand in whatever way they can. That plus a talented scene is a breeding ground for good sh*t!

The world has been going through some shit over the last few years. What affect, if any, have the cultural landscapes of the country and the world over the last few years have on yourmusic or the live scene in general?

(COCO): The world feels like its on fire all the time. We just want to play music and make people happy. Come to a Winona Fighter show, scream your head off, and forget about the fire outside for a few hours! 
(AUSTIN): Being able to DIY has been extremely helpful. 
(DAN): If anything I think our shows are places for people to come and escape whatever crazy stuff is going on outside or in their personal lives. We aim to have a really welcoming energy and environment to our shows – and do a little friendly moshing too.

What have been some of the most memorable moments or experiences with the band so far? What's been the most unexpected? The weirdest?

(DAN): Any time we've been able to meet and play shows with our heroes has been absolutely wild. We got a chance to do some dates with Incubus and the whole time I was just remembering driving to a record store the day Light Grenades came out because I was so excited for it.
(AUSTIN): The most memorable moments have also been very unexpected! Opening for Incubus… The Offspring.. Taking Back Sunday... all crazy!
(COCO): I think the most memorable things right now are all the “firsts” we get to experience. I mean everyday we are in a brand new situation. Everyday we are kids in a candy shop. I think the most unexpected and weird thing (especially in a world of social media) is how organic our growth has been. Sure we've had a somewhat viral (at least to our standards) moment here or there but at the end of the day our rise has been pure raw hard work. I feel so grateful because that is the only way I really would have wanted it to happen.. Also I suck at social media (unless i'm cracking mediocre jokes).

What album or band or significant singles made you go “Yeah, this is what I want to do”  Not just an influence but who or what was the catalyst?

(COCO): Anything Dave Grohl. More so Foo Fighters Dave Grohl but as a drummer first and foremost, i'd be lying if I didn't say his playing style inspired me every time I got behind the kit. He also made me realize that I can write songs and be up front rocking out just as hard as I do behind the kit. Whenever someone finds out my original background was drumming at a pretty professional level for my age at the time (prior to making a significant switch), I always respond with “Yeah but I did the Dave Grohl thing..” and hell I'm having a blast doing it! 
(AUSTIN): How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb – U2 was my favorite album when I was 10 years old. Absolutely loved it and made me want to play bass.
(DAN): I saw Angels & Airwaves live in 2010 and the show made me feel like I was floating. I had already been playing guitar at that point but after that show I had this feeling that I HAD to be on a stage doing that.


We've all got a few, what is your biggest regret? A gig you turned down, advice you didn't take, what one thing do you wish you handled differently as a musician?

(AUSTIN): No Regerts!! 
(DAN): I think my only regret would be waiting so long to play the music I really want to play. Doing side gigs obviously can help financially, but I was never creatively fulfilled just playing guitar for projects I didn't connect with musically. 
(COCO): If you take everything as a learning experience, it will never be a regret. I've had a lot of things happen where i've had to swallow my pride and ask myself how I can learn from that. I could go through a million examples… Oh also, on another note, you cannot trust everyone and make sure you have an attorney.  

One of our obligatory questions in these interviews also tends to be the one I have found most important on a personal level. Who are some bands on your radar that TGEFM readers may not know about, but you think they should?

(DAN): I'm a really big fan of this Canadian band called Home Front. They've got a punk meets new-wave sound that is so unique and absolutely moves. 
(COCO): I'm obsessed with Mannequin Pussy and The Beaches right now and everyone else should be as well. On a smaller scale, If you're more into alt metal, Nashville local artist ALLISTAIR is a personal favorite. Into more straight up pop-punk? Philly based band Goalkeeper. I heart those boys! 
(AUSTIN): Mokaad. Funk band with an EP called Booty that came out in 2012. Show me something funkier, I dare ya. 

What's next for Winona Fighter?

(COCO): Hopefully an album and at least one good nights sleep… the album is more likely though. 
(DAN): Bunch of hot festival dates this fall. More music, more videos. Maybe a couple beers and a slice of pizza too, who knows.

Was there anything I missed that you'd like to share or dive deeper into with our readers?

(DAN): If anyone has book suggestions, please let me know! I like a good graphic novel or a little horror book.
(COCO): I've said it once and i'll say it again. If you're pursuing something out of the norm, you will get told “no” a million times (unless you're extremely lucky). Your high school drama teacher WILL make you feel like you can't sing because you don't have a classically trained voice. Mean boys and mean girls alike WILL have something to say about you… even as an adult. You will feel uncomfortable all the time. Keep going. Bask in the discomfort. Prove everyone wrong. Take the “no”‘s and let downs with stride. F*cking fight for it. 

Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.