The influences that Paul brings to the band run the gamut from swing to jazz with stops in the territory of rockabilly along the way. One of Paul's earliest influences was Brian Setzer. Paul explains, "He was the first player I saw live and I wanted to be able to play like him."
He adds, "I grew up in Windsor so I heard all of the music coming out of Detroit. I love all sorts of styles. When it came time to be creative, and write something new or bring something out in the music, it just seemed obvious that the rockabilly, the swing and a little bit of jazz is what came out."
Dana’s background is much more in the rock vein but she says, "When it came to playing in a band like this, it wasn't a style that I'd ever explored before. I'd done some covers with other people doing rockabilly and I've always enjoyed retro music from lots of different eras and genres. This band is exciting, I've always wanted to play in a band that had a sax player! The way that i'm singing in this band is not how you'd stereotypically think of a swing singer. I've put my own twist on it."
The band's core songwriters are Paul and Cole. They work out the main arrangements, chord progressions and song lyrics. Paul says, "All of those things get worked on at rehearsals, the songs get presented and everybody has the freedom to bring their own ideas to the table. The song starts out as one thing and always morphs into something better than the sum of its parts."
He discusses the actual process of writing a song from his perspective and says, "If I'm sitting down and writing a song, I try to paint a mental picture first. It could be a real event that I've witnessed or trying to create the mood of a time or place. For example, we played a New Year's Eve show at this great little club called The Night Owl. I remember looking out and seeing all of these Roller Derby girls and they were having a time and partying it up. That idea became Devil Girl Stomp."
Once the songs are written, it's up to Dana to interpret them. She says, "The lyrics and the topics of the songs that those guys write are so relatable and I'm able to take them and make them my own. Who hasn't had a bad relationship or a good time out with their friends?"
Whiskey Wine and Venom Love started life as a collection of songs that got good audience response at their live shows. Paul explains, "Eventually people would be singing back lyrics, so we knew we had a good collection. When we had ten good songs, it was time to make the record. Our catchphrase for the album is ten songs of gin soaked deception, debauchery and determination."
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