PREMIERE: Young Winona Shares Heavy Single 'LA Waste' Amidst The Chaos
by JAMES DURAN
Young Winona has shared their latest single - a heavy, reflective track titled ‘LA Waste’ that details the contrast of grime and hustle present in the streets of Los Angeles amidst these chaotic times
Photo by Hannah Clark
Originally hailing from New Zealand, Los Angeles, CA based Young Winona has just shared their first single since signing to the cities Poor Man Records. ‘LA Waste’ is a heavy, reflective track that symbolizes the dreams and hopes of a hustling city while surrounding world has fallen into disarray.
In early 2020, lead singer Cassie Gaffaney lost her dearest supporter and fan - her adoptive father. Traveling back to New Zealand to pay their respects while putting music on hold, the band returned to LA only to experience a few weeks of normality before we were all thrust into the chaos of the COVID-19 Pandemic. With bleakness shrouding everything and everyone, Young Winona has looked through it all to see the beauty and hope in the mess. We spoke with Cassie about her experiences this past year and the inspiration behind the bands reflective new single:
What was your inspiration while writing ‘LA Waste’?
To me ‘LA Waste’ is an introspective wander through an unforgiving city. It’s my moment of reflection and taking stock of where I am right now, in my life, my career and just feeling completely stagnant. The imagery of pollution, poverty and trash strewn streets symbolizes to me the hopes and dreams that so many have arrived here with but ultimately got swallowed up and spat out. It’s a bit of a resignation of feeling like maybe some people don't get to have their dreams come true...
Cassie Gaffaney by Sabrina Gutierrez
How did coming back to the US from NZ amidst the pandemic-chaos we're in affect the creative process behind 'LA Waste'? - Was your process altered at all due to COVID-19?
Coming back to LA was weirdly a relief. It was a particularly tough trip home. When I got back it was only a couple of weeks til the pandemic truly kicked off and I was furloughed from my job. On the plus side though, that actually freed up some of my time and we were able to get the songs finished. When all the songs were done it was this constant seesaw of “do we wait to release?” or “drop the music now?” I’m glad we waited because the world was in a really dark place then and now I think it’s all becoming a little more hopeful. I used the time in lock-down to seek out a support network (management, label) as well as honing my video editing skills and creating new content.
What's next for Young Winona - when can expect more music or maybe, a full length record?
So! The plan is, we have 5 new tracks we’ll be putting out over the next few months. “LA Waste” is the just the beginning, a teaser if you will...an aperitif! (Laughs) Once these are out it is my hope that we should have enough new material to think about getting into the studio to record a full length. If we're able to start playing shows this Summer/Fall then that would be the dream but I guess we're all playing the waiting game here. Just gotta take each day as it comes!
Young Winona by Emery Becker