There was so little to be excited about back in March 2020. The entire world was shutting down – putting an end to live touring for artists both new and old. Though the entertainment industry faced a crisis never experienced before, fans were at least able to rejoice that new music was hitting the airwaves and providing a much-needed reason to be positive about the future.
Just look no further than Funky But Chic, the newest single from The Winachi Tribe. It was released on March 6th ahead of a multi-city tour scheduled to take place in May. Unfortunately, these dates didn’t go ahead and gone were the band’s hopes of showcasing the track live in places such as France, the United States and the UK.
This, however, didn’t make the track any less enjoyable. In fact, it quickly picked up pace after being promoted on platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud. If anything, it gave people more reason to look ahead to what the future might bring – something that we’re now able to envision more clearly as lockdown measures are starting to be lifted.
The single marked a five-year journey for The Winachi Tribe, which was formed in January 2015. You might well wonder: what is the story behind that unique name? Well, the band was originally called China White. However, once the group made it across the pond and began to mark their territory in the United States, they realised that ‘China White’ is actually a slang term for heroin.
It seems the group – made up of Liam Croker (vocals), Antony Egerton (keyboards, programming), Inder Goldfinger (percussion), Jamie McGregor (lead guitar), Ritchie Rich (bass) and Mr. Whommit (drums) – realised that this was problematic. Rather than completely discard their link to the name, they simply rearranged the letters. If you look closely, you’ll find that ‘Winachi’ is an anagram of ‘China White’.
So, why ‘tribe’? Arguably, it’s the most fitting name for a multi-man band that started off with relatively humble beginnings in the North West of England. You can trace the group back to Warrington, a large industrial town with surprisingly rich music history. The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown, for instance, was born there. Meanwhile, Manchester is only half an hour to the east. Likewise, Liverpool is half an hour west.
Speaking of Liverpool, The Winachi Tribe was actually formed while supporting Zak Starkey, the son of Beatles icon Ringo Starr. You shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that the group is solely based in the North West though. Instead, their music has already taken them around the country. This includes slots at festivals such as Victorious, Tramlines, Shiiine On Weekender, Moovin, Bearded Theory and Sunflowerfest.
While they have packed out venues on their own soil, the group has also had a major impact in the United States.
It’s often the case that many artists attempt – but sadly don’t succeed – in ‘cracking America’. The Winachi Tribe, however, are already halfway there. By 2018 the group had twice toured California. During their second outing, they even supported The Charlatans at a sold out Teragram Ballroom in L.A.
The trip overseas allowed them more than just an opportunity to wow a live audience. Instead, it gave them the perfect opportunity to work with legendary producer John X. For those unfamiliar with John X, he’s previously worked with megastars such as David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. It was actually during this time working with John X that The Winachi Tribe recorded the single Funky But Chic at the Earthstar Creation Center in Venice Beach.
Let’s once again look at Funky But Chic. The first thing to know about the track is that its release is actually a collaboration with the Italian fashion house Pantofola d’Oro. The single was designed to coincide with the release of the Pantofola d’Oro Winachi Collection Trainers – a great example of the group’s ability to not only craft their own unique sound but also forge links with wider partners at the same time.
Ultimately though, you don’t need to know this background to enjoy Funky But Chic. It’s hard not to be taken in by the track, which would arguably be suitable for many settings. You could envision it being heard at a house party or appearing on a DJ’s playlist in a bar. It also wouldn’t be out of place as background music in a trendy boutique!
Anyone who’s heard The Winachi Tribe will know that their sound is probably best described as electropop/funk. This is certainly clear in Funky But Chic, with a dose of psychedelic synths alongside some mesmerising vocals. It’s truly a feast for the ears – and there are also some killer lyrics for those who want to dig a little deeper.
The track starts with an upbeat: “I’ve got a pair of shoes I swear that somebody gave me/my momma said I look pretty fruity but in jeans I feel rockin’.” It’s chilled out, but also seems to give a nod to their northern roots. It’s seemingly built for a hometown audience – even if it will potentially go on to turn the heads of the big boys in Los Angeles.
The track goes on for just over four minutes, but it’s one of those pieces that listeners will be humming for hours – if not days – to come after hearing it. In particular, the chorus – which repeats the words ‘funky funky but chic’ are lyrics that people will no doubt be singing to themselves without even really noticing.
In 2020, it can be quite hard to look too far into the future to see what’s in store. However, it seems almost certain that the world will be hearing more from The Winachi Tribe. The band was born for the airwaves – so keep an ear out for them and you won’t be disappointed!
*The Winachi Tribe’s single, Funky But Chic, is out NOW.