SONNY WINNEBAGO

Introduce yourself

Hey, I’m Sonny Winnebago. Sometimes I play with my friend Calum, other times, I play with five friends (they have different names, except for Calum).

How did you get together?

I happened to wake up one day as Sonny Winnebago, and realised I needed some very talented musicians. I’d met Calum a year before in the legendary Gwdihw and we hit it off. The others fell into place after I put an ad out at midnight on Cardiff Musicians (Facebook page). We’re all nocturnal.

How would you describe your music to the uninitiated?

Pop for people who don’t like pop. A reviewer once said ‘lilting melodies over accomplished acoustic guitar’. That’s a great summary,

What is your earliest musical memory?

Being about five years old in Australia, sitting in front of the hi-fi listening to Queen and Cat Stevens, that was ‘the moment’. Who was your earliest musical influence?

When I was 15 I fell in love with Smashing Pumpkins. It was autumn, I was angsty, the stars aligned.

What made you want to pick up an instrument and play?

You know when you pick up an instrument in school? Mine was the flute. When I moved home to Wales, a buddy and I were playing Stairway to Heaven together, and it looked like he was having more fun.

What was the first record you bought and where did you buy it?

I grew up on a healthy dose of ‘90s dance pop (Basement Jaxx, Junior Senior etc) and used to rinse those compilation CDs. I guess my Mum used to buy them from JB Hi-Fi or something, which is the Aussie HMV. Good on ya Mum.

What was the first gig you attended?

A Rod Stewart tribute act in Perth Zoo. I didn’t even know who Rod Stewart was. I was young and very confused, but really liked it. I can still taste the mosquito repellent in the air.

What’s the best gig/s you’ve been to?

The Pixies, Massive Attack and The Cat Empire in Bristol, I caught the drumstick AND got the mic passed to me for a few lines. Magical. What’s the best gig you’ve played?

The Moon In Womanby Street. Calum didn’t have a keyboard stand so we both sat on the floor and made friends with the crowd. A close second would be supporting Michael Kiwanuka at the Tramshed. I danced my socks off on stage and had a good chinwag with the man himself. Who would be your dream artiste to work with?

Davey from Boy Azooga. He played drums and contributed some sweet vocals on the single. I think we could write a banger!

What’s for the future?

I’ll be playing around Cardiff a lot. The Cardiff scene is crazy good. A couple of single releases may also be in the pipeline.

Where can we find out more about you?

Join me on my musical adventures at @sonnywinnebago

■■ If you have a gig coming up or are releasing material and would like to be featured in this column, email Dave Owens at david.owens@ mediawales.co.uk, call 029 2024 3628 or tweet @asoundreaction