An Interview with Katie from OceanCity.com
Ocean City, MD – In a recent interview with Katie Ruskey from Ocean City.com, Coco Kinnon of the band Winona Fighter expressed their excitement about performing at the upcoming Ocean’s Calling 2024 music festival.
Coco shared their band’s history of opening for iconic acts like Incubus, The Offspring, and Blink 182, emphasizing the thrill of sharing stages with bands they grew up admiring. “It’s an honor to perform alongside people who’ve been musical heroes to us,” Coco remarked.
Based in Nashville, Winona Fighter’s origins are a testament to the power of chance encounters and personal connections.The band members found each other organically through Craigslist and mutual friends, gradually forming the tight-knit group they are today.
Coco Kinnon described the band’s stage presence as energetic and authentic, reflecting their punk rock roots. “We want the crowd at Ocean’s Calling to feel our energy and have a great time,” Coco stated. “We want to create an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to let loose and enjoy the music.”
The band’s success story includes their song “Hamms in a Glass” surpassing 3.1 million streams on Spotify. Coco expressed gratitude for the journey so far, stating, “Reaching that many people is incredible. It validates all the hard work we’ve put in and makes us even more excited to perform at Ocean’s Calling.”
With their infectious energy and dedication to creating a memorable experience, Winona Fighter is sure to be a highlight at Ocean’s Calling 2024.
Summary of the Conversation with CoCo Kinnon & Katie from OceanCity.com:
Katie Ruskey from Ocean City.com interviews Coco Kinnon from Winona Fighter, who is excited to perform at Ocean’s Calling 2024. Coco shares their history of opening for bands like Incubus, The Offspring, and Blink 182, highlighting the honor and fun of sharing stages with idols. The band, based in Nashville, formed organically through Craigslist and personal connections. Coco emphasizes their energetic and authentic stage presence, inspired by their punk roots. They discuss the band’s goal to create a lively and inclusive atmosphere at the festival. Coco reflects on the band’s success, including their song “Hamms in a Glass” streaming over 3.1 million times on Spotify, expressing gratitude for their journey and the validation they’ve received.
Ocean’s Calling 2024 Kickoff with Winona Fighter
- Katie Ruskey from Ocean City.com introduces Coco Kinnon from Winona Fighter and expresses excitement about their performance at Ocean’s Calling 2024.
- Coco Kinnon expresses their excitement and honor to be part of the event, mentioning the thrill of sharing the stage with idols.
- Katie Ruskey highlights Winona Fighter’s past performances, including opening for Incubus, Taking Back Sunday, and The Offspring.
- Coco Kinnon shares their experiences of opening for Incubus and The Offspring, and the excitement of sharing a stage with Blink 182.
Formation of Winona Fighter
- Coco Kinnon explains that the band members are from different parts of the United States: he is from New England, Dan is from Bloomington, Indiana, and Austin is from Marshall, Minnesota.
- Coco Kinnon moved to Nashville for college but left after a year and answered a Craigslist ad for a band in Nashville, where he met Dan.
- Coco Kinnon moved to Los Angeles for about a year and a half, where he met Austin and wrote songs together for the project that would become Winona Fighter.
- Katie Ruskey comments on the organic and natural way the band formed, with Craigslist playing a role in bringing the members together.
Craigslist and Band Formation
- Katie Ruskey and Coco Kinnon discuss the use of Craigslist for band formation, with Coco Kenan noting that Craigslist was still relevant in 2015.
- Katie Ruskey humorously compares Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace, mentioning its affordability and the need for safety precautions.
- Coco Kinnon shares that while Facebook Marketplace is safer, Craigslist can still offer better deals.
- Katie Ruskey and Coco Kinnon discuss the importance of Craigslist in connecting people and forming bands.
Energized and Powerhouse Performers
- Katie Ruskey asks Coco Kinnon about the band being described as an energized and powerhouse performer.
- Coco Kinnon expresses pride in this description, stating that it aligns with their goal of being authentic and energetic on stage.
- Coco Kinnon shares his background in the punk scene and the importance of energy and authenticity in performances.
- Katie Ruskey inquires about the band’s goals for Ocean’s Calling, and Coco Kenan emphasizes the desire to get the crowd moving and having a great time.
Goals for Ocean’s Calling
- Coco Kinnon explains that their goal for Ocean’s Calling is to get everyone moving and to create a fun and interactive experience for the crowd.
- Katie Ruskey asks about the band’s mission for the festival, and Coco Kinnon reiterates the importance of energy and interaction.
- Coco Kinnon shares that the band wants to create a world where people can forget their troubles and enjoy the moment.
- Katie Ruskey and Coco Kinnon discuss the unique atmosphere of festivals and the band’s role in setting the tone for the weekend.
Performing “Hamms in a Glass”
- Katie Ruskey mentions that “Hamms in a Glass” has been streamed over 3.1 million times on Spotify.
- Coco Kinnon reflects on the success of the song and the emotional impact it has on him, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to perform.
- Coco Kinnon shares that he was often told no as a kid playing punk music and feels a sense of validation and accomplishment now.
- Katie Ruskey and Coco Kinnon discuss the importance of perseverance and the joy of seeing their hard work pay off.
Closing Remarks
- Katie Ruskey invites the audience to see Winona Fighter’s performance at Ocean’s Calling 2024, starting at 145 on the Sea Bright stage.
- Coco Kinnon expresses gratitude for the opportunity to perform and shares the band’s excitement for the event.
- Katie Ruskey and Coco Kinnon conclude the interview with well-wishes for the upcoming performance and the festival.
- The conversation ends with mutual appreciation and excitement for the upcoming event.
