Havalina Rail Co. doesn't play punk. They don't play grunge, hardcore, ska, the list goes on and on. For a long time, there was a mucho big debate on what they played. An enchanting mix of ragtime, swing, jazz, and the like has gotten HRC a huge fanbase that hasn't changed. I spoke to Matt Wignall, and the following is what happened. By the by, HRC plays avant-garde. Neat-o.
Where are you going now that your contract on Tooth and Nail is up?
We've been writing songs for a new album for some time now, but that label stuff is on a need to know basis only. We're still moving ahead just like always, that hasn't changed aside from the fact that we want to dedicate even more time to HRC.
What posessed you guys to play avant garde, a very different style of music than is usually played?
To tell you the truth, I don't know. I just sit down to write, and that's what comes out of me. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I grew up really liking certain kinds of music, like Henry Mancini, for instance (he composed the Pink Panther music).
What are some of your musical influences?
Well, aside from Henry Mancini, I like Les Baxter, Tom Waits, the Pixies, Neil Young. And lately, I've been listening too, and learning to play a lot of old blues like Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
There are a lot of cool bands out there. What are some of your favorites?
My favorites would mostly be those I mentioned in the last question. Some of the bands that are around right now that I am into are Mazzy Star, Portishead, Squirrell Nut Zippers, and Combustible Edison.
What's in your CD player right now?
Les Baxter's "Exotic Moods".
Give a quick history of the band.
5 years ago I found Mark at church and asked him to play drums in a project I wanted to start. We played for a while with a couple different girl singers...they all kept leaving, so we decided to just go with the guys, and slowly but surely we met people ilke Orlando and Jeff at concerts and whammo, HRC.
Do you consider yourselves a ministry-type band?
Yes, we minister through art and creativity which I believe is just as relevent as any other type of ministry.
Who's your favorite Beatle?
It changes from time to time, but right now it's Ringo. not because of his songs, but because of how goofy he was. That's why Yuri's my favorite MxPx (member), I think he's kinda goofy.
