‘New EP’ is where a band or artist answers some questions about their latest release. Up next is Wiri Donna. Wiri Donna begun as the indie-folk alter-ego of SOG’s Bianca Bailey. It’s been two years since Wiri Donna’s first release – the double single Sprouts, featuring ‘Manuka Money’ and ‘Wandering Willies’, sensitive indie folk that was rooted in a time of finding her feet. Now two years later after multiple tours and supporting heavy hitters such as The Beths, Mild Orange and Soaked Oats, she is breaking her stride with a larger and emphatic rock sound. We caught up with her for a chat about the new EP and her change in musical direction.
When/where was the new EP recorded?
The EP was recorded in August 2021 at Surgery Studios in Newtown.
Who produced/engineered the EP? How did the tracks come together in the studio, or at home?
The EP was engineered by James Goldsmith and produced by the both of us!
Did the shorter format of an EP give you the option to experiment in any way with your sound or with different forms of song-writing?
I think the EP was really a point of me wanting to solidify the indie guitar/rock music sound we’d been developing at our live shows without huge commitment. Because it’s the first long format project I’ve worked on I wanted to make sure the project felt long enough to really clearly define that sound we’d been working on for a while without the expectation that this would be where it would stay forever. I actually think that the real experimentation will come with the album, once I’ve sort of found my feet and have been able to sir with it for a while, that’s what I’m truly excited for.
Was there any specific gear you used to capture that?
I used my 2 favorite guitar pedals in excess on this ep – a Hot Cake and the Earthquaker Plumes.
Is there a particular track or theme that the EP was formed around?
The title track of the EP ‘Being Alone’ was one of the first songs I wrote as Wiri Donna, I’d like to think the EP is a little snapshot of this coming of age moment, a very specific time in my life where I was alone for what felt like the first time ever and learning about the world and myself.
Where do you see the EPs place in growing an audience online? Do you see it as a progression towards an album or a separate entity?
Yeah, like I said before I think this EP is really here to solidify a sound and capture a specific moment, I hope people will listen to it and like it and want to hear more. I think most importantly Wiri Donna is an outlet for my own creative voice, so it might change and evolve, but it’ll always be my outlet.
Which digital platforms is it available on?
All streaming platforms!
Are you doing any gigs or promotion for its release?
We’ll be heading on a 6 date tour through June/July starting with San Fran on the 10th June – we’ll also have Elliott Dawson and Mystery Waitress joining us for that show.
