Paul Winders, formerly of seminal Dunedin band The Verlaines, has completed his second solo album. Shane Gilchrist discusses simple pleasures with the singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Guitarist in The Verlaines from 1991 to 2008, the Arrowtown-based musician has called on old friends and family for his second album, Boy Dust, with fellow former Verlaines member Mike Stoodley playing a key role.
Stoodley, a member of The Verlaines from 1988 to 1994 and Auckland outfit The Broken Heartbreakers from 2008 to 2010, plays bass, keyboards and guitars on Boy Dust. He also recorded and produced the album, which features Winders' sister Kiri (of former Dunedin bands Valve and My Deviant Daughter) on backing vocals and keyboards, Matt Tane (of former Dunedin band Runt) on drums and Winders' Arrowtown neighbour, Shane Woolridge, on backing vocals and guitars.
Recorded late last year, Boy Dust retains much of the summery pop-rock vibe of 2009 debut You Can Have It All but offers more layers - both in its sound and variety of moods - as Winders ranges from celebration of family life (the title track comes from the nickname he gave his 17-month-old son as a baby) to gentle introspection.
"Instead of constantly looking outside yourself, I reckon you should be happy with your lot, finding your own peace on the inside and not always striving for other things all the time," Winders says.
"That's the head space I was in when I wrote the album. I suppose that's why there are lots of upbeat pop songs on it. I'm pretty happy with it, really.
"It was just a case of finding the head space to write songs, which generally happens in the school holidays when it calms down a bit and you can get a bit of focus," says Winders, a qualified teacher who works as sports co-ordinator at Arrowtown Primary School.
"The songs came pretty easily.
"I usually end up picking up my guitar when I'm in that space, nut them out, put them down on my laptop and go from there. It's pretty relaxed. I don't force myself to do it; I enjoy doing it."
Winders might have penned all 10 tracks, but he insists Boy Dust is a collaborative album; hence the inclusion of "the Goodness" after his name.
"I wrote the songs but let things happen. Those guys are awesome musicians; they are also on the same wavelength.
"They might be my tunes to start with, but the others definitely have a creative input."
In contrast to You Can Have It All, which was largely recorded over four days at a Dunedin studio, Boy Dust was a more measured, laid-back affair, spanning recording sessions in Arrowtown, Auckland and Dunedin.
"Stoodley came down to Arrowtown and dropped in to have a yarn. We started talking about recording. He's got a home studio set-up at home in Auckland and is the type of guy who has been tinkering around with guitars and instruments ...
"It was a case of him emailing mixes and asking, 'What do you think of this?'
"It was quite a fun process, actually."
Stoodley's involvement also led to Sam Prebble (Bond St Bridge, The Broken Heartbreakers) playing strings on the track Boyndlie, named after a place in Scotland.
"The song is about my wife's family home," Winders explains. "She spent a lot of time there in her youth and it is still a very special place for her and her family."
With the exception of Prebble, the remainder of those who played on the album are preparing to take the songs on the road, reconvening for a three-gig release tour over Easter weekend, after which Winders will return to normal family life.
Songs, though, are never far away.
"I found after I did the last album and tour that, as soon as I got back, I started picking up the guitar again and writing tunes.
So we'll see what comes of it."
Catch them
Paul Winders and the Goodness play the following dates in the South. -
Thursday, April 5: Taste Merchants, Dunedin.
Friday, April 6: Riverton Arts Centre.
Saturday, April 7: Moonlight Stables, Arrowtown.
(Tickets available at venues and Cheeky Llama for Riverton gig. Free CD with each ticket.)
Boy Dust is available now on iTunes, bandcamp and through dunedinmusic.com
