A rock ‘n roll band from Winnipeg, The Webster Project brings you an upbeat good time with a little slice of slower intimacy. Founder Mike Webster has been on the Canadian music scene for over twenty years. The Webster Project draws on the two decades of the Canadian music scene its founder has been a part of, along with the stories and events that shaped his life. Every song has a story, every line a meaning, and Mike & co. tell these stories in a way that is at once honest, vulnerable, powerful and bold. Comprised of Mike Webster, Dean Rigaux, Scott McNabb, and Kyle Chartier, The Webster Project has released their debut EP “Misunderstood”. Since the release of the EP, the band has expanded adding Vocalist/Percussionist Izzy Forrest and Bassist/Vocalist Edgar Ozollins who replaced Kyles Chartier. He left shortly after the EP's release to focus on other projects. Telling stories of their past set to music from the heart, you’ll have as much fun listening to The Webster Project as they’ll have to play for you!
The Webster Project inject a hearty dose of rock back into the music world with this EP “Misunderstood”. Kicking things off with the brilliantly upbeat and energetic “We Don’t Get Along”, the band offers tight grooves and creative chord patterns, all mixed in among a uniquely interesting concept and a leading vocal that pours so much passion into the whole process.
Title track “Misunderstood” smooths things out and the contrast works beautifully after the opener. Still, that voice and the guitar style fit the mood and the style of The Webster Project, they know what they want from music and they hold close to those values. “Misunderstood” is reflective at first, gradually rising in intensity and slowly exploding into something of an anthem for the lovers who lost their way.
Driving with a joyful guitar and melody, “High Speed Wobble” presents short verse lines that stand tall among the music and draw you in from afar. Contrast kicks in once more as the melody and the music evolve. “High Speed Wobble” quickly becomes an absolute highlight for its creativity and the various unexpected yet expressive, satisfying sections. It feels like a fully creative rock, familiar in style but new and refreshing in substance.
Next up on the EP “Misunderstood” is “Johnny”, a piece that leads with freely meandering guitar work. The melody during the verses creates a calmness, just a few lower notes and a sense of quiet emerge. This song feels a little more personal and presents vulnerability differently. You can’t predict the structure of the track or what will come next, but that works well as we approach the conclusion of the EP.
Bringing things to a decidedly thoughtful finish, ending the album in a similar manner to which it began, “Like I Loved You Then” is a sensational piece of music and writing. Gentle, yet upbeat by nature, the sentiment and the way the chords and the melody unite helps build a sense of togetherness and possibility. A song worth hearing a few times over, it brings through a classically impressive and immersive style of songwriting that seems all but gone from much of modern mainstream music.
Great performances are highlighted throughout “Misunderstood”, as well as some fascinating, heartfelt songwriting. You get a strong sense that the band would make waves at a live show. The raw energy and vibrancy of real rock and roll run deep with The Webster Project and we can’t wait to hear more!
Listen to “Misunderstood” here and read more with the band below!
Welcome to BuzzMusic! Congratulations on the release of your EP! How long has “Misunderstood” been in the making?
Thank you for having me! Misunderstood has been in the making since the inception of the band 6 years ago. I love recording and the folks in the band are an absolute treasure to work with.
We noticed that you’ve put a lot of different emotions into this EP. What does it mean to you to finally share this music with the world?
It has been a truly fantastic experience. It's the first time in almost 20 years that I have some form of official recording out. It kinda feels like I'm 20 years old again. It's a very exciting time. We love playing together and working the songs up.
Can you dive into the inspiration behind the song “Johnny”? What does this song represent for you?
I was in a metal band in Vancouver Canada in 1995 and I was a loose cannon to say the least. I was drinking way too much among other things and generally losing control of my life. John Collins, the singer from that band took me under his wing, fed me, drove me to and from gigs and when the time came for me to move back home to Winnipeg he didn't begrudge me, rather he bought me a bus ticket and sent me home where he hoped I would get the help I needed. It took another 10 years but I cleaned my act up and I'm living sober for over 14 years now.
So this song for me represents hope, and community. It wasn't just John that helped me out then, there were a few others but he's the main character for sure.
If you had to choose just one song to represent your sound right now, which song would you suggest and why?
Misunderstood would be that song. When we play that live it's just magic and even when we've done it as a 3 piece it still comes off huge. Scott McNabb (drums, vocals) sings lead on that one and he just absolutely nails it. I had his voice in my head when I wrote it which was years before we met.
How do you get started when writing a new song, and how do you know when it’s truly finished and ready to be shared with the world?
Songwriting for me happens in a variety of ways. Sometimes it just seems to drop into my lap, other times I'll start with a lyric or melody, maybe just start strumming some chords and a melody and a couple words pop out of me. It's all very organic for me, no formula though I do have certain signatures, if you will.
There's a particular feeling I get when I'm really onto something. An excitement and a drive to keep playing the song over and over, that's when I know it's something I want to first share with the band, and then bring it to the stage. When a song comes in, regardless of who wrote it, we'll all take a run at the lead vocal and see who's voice best suits the song. Once we determine that we'll build the rest of the song around that, harmonies, instrumentation and so on. Then when it's all sorted we take it to the stage.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me!
Connect with the The Webster Project for all new music and updates:
Website: www.thewebsterproject.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewebsterproject/
www.manitobamusic.com/thewebsterproject