With their debut album, Exposure Therapy, released in 2019 on Artoffact Records, Wingtips‘ Vincent Segretario and Hannah Avalon stormed the scene with dark, infectious pop, drawing equally from slamming darkwave and lush synth-pop. Revolver Magazine called the pair a “devastating twosome” and Chicago Reader offered these words: “Goth-pop duo Wingtips captures the irresistible disintegration and woozy depths of The Cure’s late-’80s sound.”
Sophomore album Cutting Room Floor maintains a base in ’80s sounds, but sees the band ascend to a new place of pure, timeless songcraft. With brighter melodies, deeper emotions, and a stripped-down approach that lets the songs shine, Wingtips have become something bigger than a retro act. With hooks so compelling they are cinematic in scope, and vocals that grab hold of the heart, Cutting Room Floor marks the genesis of a new style: “new romantic for post-millennial end times,” in the band’s own words.
We asked the band to talk to us about 3 releases that have influenced them a lot, and Vincent replied with 3 great choices…
Disasteradio – Charisma
Now here’s an interesting story. I was taken to a basement show by a friend where I saw Disasteradio, a New Zealand-based synthpop artist, and subsequently bought this vinyl LP which had come out the previous year. That performance and album, which I played on repeat for over a year, would change then teenage me’s life forever… I attribute this to why I started writing synthpop myself. Stylistically it’s a far cry from what I am doing these days, but at that time I was really going hard with trying to come up with my own version of the sound I heard. Lots of chiptune-influenced synthpop with an ironic and subtly comedic flare. Luke Rowell of that project also performs under the moniker Eyeliner which has been a driving force in the vaporwave movement.
The Cure – Disintegration
This album was the big transition for me as an artist, and also the point where I was confident that I’d found my favorite band. I would say that this album, along with The Chameleons’ Script of the Bridge (1983), were equally influential on my guitar-playing style but Disintegration was where I began to understand strong structure more succinctly, and how mood/tone overall works in conjunction with it in different ways. If nothing else, it was the gateway into the wild world of post-punk for me (as I know it to be for many more as well!!), and I was able to find a stronger definition of the musical/performance style I would go on to create for Wingtips.
iamamiwhoami – blue
I discovered this one more recently, but nonetheless had a lasting impact that I still feel. The first song I ever heard from this album was ‘Shadowshow’, and it blew me away. Incredibly unique chord progressions, and the most subtle yet uplifting production. Jonna Lee’s voice is a beacon of light which swept me away as intensely as the first time I ever heard Cocteau Twins. The tonality of the album was intrinsically influential on our debut LP Exposure Therapy, and still continues on our upcoming sophomore follow-up.
