Saturday, February 10 10:15pm @ Salem’s Loft
Purveyor of: many CD-R releases and old school baseball references

Any band with a cello should be given 50 points. These points can be redeemed for fandom at any time. With 50 points The Winks already have an advantage over many bands. The Winks also have a mandolin, which is another 50 points. That’s 100 points right there. The core of The Winks is made up of Tyr Jami on cello and Todd MacDonald on mandolin, with the rest of the band on an informal, in-rotation basis. What is impressive about The Winks is that they are able to create a cohesive sound with a band that doesn’t really exist. Through the wonders of the Interweb Tyr and Todd exchanged e-mails with Wavelength reporter Miles Baker.

How much do The Winks like kittens?

Tyr: When we were driving back from Toronto during the holidays we had a kitten in the van. It made the van cuddlier.

Is playing shows in Montreal much different than playing shows in Toronto?

Tyr: They are very different cities.

Todd: I was born in Toronto and my aunt Ingrid comes to all of our shows there so they have a nice childhood/family vibe.

Before Birthday Party the band did five CD-R releases. What do you think you learned making those records?

Tyr: I think they were brainstorming records. We just recorded our improv jams and sold them at shows. We learned after making a thousand hand-made CD labels and covers that it’s way easier to get them pressed. I spend the time I would be doing that decorating Winks T-shirts now.

Todd: I learned a lot about recording and making things sound the way I want them to sound. When we went into real studios I was able to explain and show them what I wanted.

A lot of your band members are categorized as “in rotation.” What are the advantages of having band members who are in rotation? Any disadvantages?

Tyr: Todd and I are the real slaves to the band and everyone else can just come on for a joyride. We change members because everyone has things they want to do in their lives besides being in the Winks. It’s kind of like living in a house full of roommates with people always moving in and out.

Todd: The band becomes like a family and I really miss people but as we get new members our family grows. Teaching people the songs is fun but playing a song hundreds of times in a short time period makes me play them boringly for a few weeks.

You guys did a split CD with Secret Mummy, which is your side project band. Isn’t it kind of cheating to have a split CD with yourself?

Todd: Yes.

The last song on Birthday Party is called “Nolan Ryan.” Are you a fan of the baseball Hall-of-Famer?

Todd: I was when I was a kid. Growing up in Toronto made me love baseball. My hand once froze in my mitt during recess. I went to class and had to sit at my desk with a glove stuck to my hand.

What’s next for the band?

Todd: We’re recording new songs right now, doing some East Coast tours and booking a European tour for May.

By Miles Baker