Interview: The WizBangs share Life, Love and new track “Pennsylvania”
Americana Lady
Posted On December 30, 2016
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Sometimes keeping things in the family is a good thing. This new Philadelphia-based band, The WizBangs, are a father/sons trio that have kept music alive in their family through at least the last three generations. Jim Feenstra, the father who comes from the corporate world of marketing, shares his insights on his transition to the music world, while the two sons, JP Feenstra and Charles Feenstra, have played in bands most of their lives. Together, they share the need to express their thoughts and emotions through song and just write music “because they love it.” I had the pleasure of sitting down with these three gentlemen who shared their latest track, “Pennsylvania,” from their debut album Life, Love and Other Mishaps, along with some of their history as a family and a band.
What was your motivation for starting a band with your sons? And why the name “The Wizbangs”?
Jim: Well first, there’s always been music in any house I’ve lived in. My mom and dad were both Barbershop Quartet/Chorus singers, which probably is why I enjoy harmonies so much. I played keyboard (marginally) and sang in a group at church in my early twenties. Then life happened for me with work and the raising the fam, so music went on the back burner for me. However, the boys were always doing music growing up, in different school musical groups and Charles was part of the Reading Youth Symphony.
Honestly, the germ of the idea occurred while my son was in rehab. We started to reconnect by writing lyrics and sharing them back and forth on visitation days. It became part of the healing process, at least for me.
After I retired, Charles moved in with us to take care of his girlfriend, who was ill with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Charles already had a large volume of songs he’d composed. We just starting sharing each other’s ideas, lyrics, melodies; and it grew from there. Very organic, really.
As for the band name, the primary goal was to keep it simple and memorable. WizBangs just somewhat popped into my head. Looked it up in the dictionary which said Whizbang is “one that is conspicuous for noise, speed, excellence, or startling effect.” That sounded right. Dropped the “h” to differentiate and secure the web address and trademark. So, it was one part random, one part marketing and one part business
What is the songwriting process typically like?
Jim: For me, it always feels magical, because the ideas and origination happen randomly. My lyrics come usually from some emotional trigger, news or story I read in the Sunday NY Times. Quite honestly, melodies come to me either in the shower (I kid you not), walking my dogs or on long drives. I learned to always have my iPhone with me so I can record the thoughts.
I’ll sit at the piano and figure out the key and progression, then fine tune the lyrics. I’ll record it and send with lyrics to Charles and JP. If they like it, we’ll start the fine tuning back and forth. I tend to drive Charles crazy with refining. I’ll noodle with phrases and the story ad nauseam.
I don’t want to speak for Charles, but he starts with a very strong premise and does most of his compositions solo. Sometimes, we’ll just make minor suggestions on flow and melody. He has a great feel for the story and emotions he wants to articulate.
What was the inspiration for your song “Pennsylvania”?
Charles: Pennsylvania was inspired by the many long trips I’ve taken back to the state I grew up in. There was always a melancholy and fear about heading back to a place where so many painful memories originated, but I’ve found a quiet joy amongst the storm of emotions.
With your extensive marketing background, how do you find marketing in the music industry compares to marketing in your previous industry?
Jim: There are similarities because it IS a business. It’s challenging because of how fragmented it is; the multiple listening channels, multiple genres that similarly can sound homogenous, slim margins. It reminds me of an old saying in racing. To paraphrase, “To make $1 million dollars in music, you start with $3 million.” A challenge in music is building awareness so people can hear you in a market where there are thousands of choices.
At the end of the day, you do it because you love it. If you’re in it to be famous and become rich, chances are you’ll be disappointed. Bill Withers said, “You can’t define your success. Just put your music out there and the market will tell you if you’re good.”
We went into this with eyes wide-open. I’ve said from the start that in the end, music sales are a wonderful outcome, but not the ultimate end-game. I’m making music with my sons and friends and that’s cool in and of itself.
What can we expect to see in 2017 from The Wizbangs?
We have shows coming up. First in Reading, PA at Bldg24 Live on Saturday, February 4th. There are more shows to be announced soon, including our CD Release event, which will be in Philadelphia.
We’ll take April off because a new WizBang member is arriving…JP is becoming a father!
We have several songs in the hopper, so we hope to be in the studio at some point.
It’s “Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning.”
The WizBangs’ debut album, Life, Love and Other Mishaps, comes out in early 2017.
For more info: http://thewizbangs.com/
