With the onslaught of emerging bands popping up left and right, it’s of utmost importance that acts consciously consider their projected vision, both aural and visual. Chicago's Wingtips, comprised of long term friends Vincent Segretario and Hannah Avalon, are capable of doing just that with their lyrical composition and stylistic darkwave and post-punk undertones. While at college, the two met while studying theater. Wingtips initiated as Segretario’s solo project before developing into a two piece. “We were both a little directionless, so at the time when we started hanging out we decided to expand on Wingtips and work towards becoming a full band. Right after my last semester of college that summer in 2015 we went on our first tour”, states Avalon, highlighting their drive to continue their creativity and live performance. Theater helped them to develop their artistic streak and hone in on what it was they specifically wanted to curate together. “When you start school your main goal is to want to be a performer […] Once you study it and you realize that there are other aspects that spark your creativity, you can really engage and manifest those in other ways. That’s how our collaboration came to fruition, we took elements that we liked and incorporated them”, weighs in Segretario.
In 2016 they released their first EP, Greyarea, embodying romantic pop sounds in a gothic light. Wingtips’ memorable live shows incorporate not only a strong performance, but also consider the myriad of ways to assemble lights and production into their aesthetic which they’ve intuitively evolved over time. “There are varying levels of how to tell a story and convey emotion. I feel like it’s important to recognize the different stage elements you have at your disposal. We try to be as a complete an artwork as we can be”, remarks Segretario. Their relationship with Toronto-based label Artoffact Records (including the likes of Kælan Mikla, Cloud Rat and Actors on their roster) unfolded from a chance email sent from Wingtips while label shopping for their upcoming record. Assuming the slim response rate that bands receive while sending out cold messages, Wingtips’ experience happened to be the right time and the right place, emphasizing that labels do indeed read and express interest in acts without predetermined ties to someone involved. Their latest record, Exposure Therapy, deviates from their prior releases as they spent additional time in the studio experimenting with different instrumentals and effects as they mutated the sound to their liking.
Directed by long time friend Luke O’Neill, their music video and lead single for “Deaf Pursuit” hinges on both spontaneous and minimalist ideas both the band and O’Neill had in mind for the filming. “This style meshed well with Luke’s style because we’re all collaborating in real time as we filmed and we’re deciding things on the fly. It really plays out in a unique way and makes it feel more genuine where your true intentions are and where your heart’s at”, remarks Segretario as the video transpired. Cited as the song that sparked the the writing process for the rest of the album, “Deaf Pursuit” handles toxic energy as well as themes of renewal throughout the course of their ten track record. Rather than resisting life’s negativity and obstacles, Avalon instead commits to the opposite; “some days are easy and some days you don’t want to try anymore, but you just have to keep going no matter what […] Also remembering to be responsible for your own actions because no one is truly exempt from playing a toxic role in another person’s life. It’s a neverending, evolving cycle of learning life’s lessons, trying again and never giving up.”
Wingtips are embarking on a near two month tour tomorrow, including playing Coldwaves Festival in their hometown and Absolution Festival in Tampa, Florida. When asked how they deal with burnout on the road, Segretario reminds us about the importance of structure. “My personality type is somewhat sporadic. When I’m home I’m not really well structured, but I think it’s important to really keep things in line when you’re on tour. That helps with a lot of potentially compromising elements that come into play. Keeping expectations at a moderate to lower range helps, too. A lot of bands expect the world to change in an instant but there are so many elements that are out of your control in a music career in general.” You can purchase Exposure Therapy here and catch Wingtips in a following North American city near you:
Aug 27 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge $
Aug 28 – Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis
Aug 30 – Boise, ID @ The Shredder
Aug 31 – Seattle, WA @ Belltown Yacht Club
Sep 4 – Vancouver, BC @ The Astoria
Sep 5 – Portland, OR @ The Lovecraft
Sep 6 – Oakland, CA @ The Uptown %
Sep 8 – San Diego, CA @ The Whistle Stop
Sep 10 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Moroccan
Sep 11 – Phoenix, AZ @ Lunchbox
Sep 12 – El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse
Sep 13 – San Antonio, TX @ The Amp Room &
Sep 14 – Austin, TX @ Cheer Up Charlies &
Sep 15 – Dallas, TX @ Three Links
Sep 17 – Tulsa, OK @ The Starlite
Sep 18 – Kansas City, MO @ miniBar
Sep 20 – Chicago, IL @ Cold Waves Festival
Sep 26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit
Sep 28 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bazaar +
Sep 30 – Richmond, VA @ Banditos +
Oct 2 – Raleigh, NC @ The Wicked Witch +
Oct 5 – Tampa, FL @ Absolution Festival +
Oct 10 – Nashville, TN @ Drkmttr
Oct 11 – Louisville, KY @ Art Sanctuary
Oct 16 – Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory
Oct 17 – Toronto, ON @ The Boat
Oct 19 – Newark, NJ @ QXT’s
# = w/ Silent Servant, Fee Lion $ = w/ Plack Blague DJ set % = w/ Ash Code & = w/ Twin Tribes + = w/ Korine
