Interview: Woonds

Written by Nina Joy

Meet Woonds, Chicago’s alternative indie band ready to secure their spot on your playlist. Comprised of members Polo, Soph, Victor, Isaac and Sergio, Woonds dropped their first EP “True” on April 14th featuring three addictive tracks. Their lead single, ‘Chroo’ is an uptempo, bouncy song with powerful drums bolstering simple yet vulnerable lyrics that ask, “Why can’t you be true?”

Keep reading for a look into how they were formed, their songwriting process and which members wouldn’t survive a zombie apocalypse!

Tell me how Woonds got started. How did you meet and what inspired you to form a band?

Victor, Isaac, Serg and I have been jamming together since 2022. Being pretty long-term friends we'd just play music for fun at their spot in Pilsen til I think one day Victor suggested to start a band. I was the only one who hadn't made music in an organized way so I honestly didn't really know what it entailed.

But we hit the ground running and have been writing music and playing shows ever since! And then Soph took over bass for Isaac in 2024, and Isaac started playing rhythm guitar instead.

-Polo (Vocal)

You dropped your EP "True" in April with the new track 'Chroo.' Walk me through your songwriting process. Do you all come together and share themes you'd like to explore or does someone come with lyrics or a melody first?

It’s a mixed bag when it comes to this. Usually we’ve already got a chord structure that we all like and then it all comes together with all the instruments and melodies that are added on top. It’s like the chords are the base and the rest (melodies, accents, riffs, etc.) are the toppings.

I wrote a few of the base chord structures that are set to release (we’ve got a new EP coming out soon!) and wrote the chords for “Chroo” as well. I love bringing my ideas and seeing them come to fruition because I couldn’t have done it without such a great group of friends that also happen to be my bandmates. The same is true with everyone else. It all starts with a little spark of an ear worm.

Other than that, we love to jam and mess around in our studio where we practice, and we’ve got many ideas in store; jamming is a good tool we use to get those creative juices flowin’ AS LONG as we remember to record it for future song writing!

I think we’re entering a writing phase since we’ve got most of what we have recorded and set for release so it’ll be interesting to see what roles we take and how we come together this time around. We already know what works but there’s plenty of room to explore.

-Vic (Drummer)

What's the significance behind naming your first EP "True?" Is it linked to your lyric "why can't you be true?"

Yeah definitely, it's a big nod to the song 'Chroo', which is a funky way of spelling "True" (we have an affinity for replacing u's with oo's haha). The song explores the role people play in our lives and how we might attach a certain idea to them; but they might disappoint us or end up not being who we thought them to be. That's definitely the subject matter I tend to write about - heartbreak, trauma, anything sad pretty much LOL. But the happy part of it is that as our first release, 'True' is our first time showing our true selves to the world! So it works both ways.

-Polo

When you're in the studio recording, what helps get you into the mood and mindset of that session?

Just looking forward to dissecting the song and bring it to life. And spending time with our producer Wesley! Shout out to narwhal studios!

-Isaac (Rhythm guitar)

First and foremost, it really matters who you work with. Wes from narwhal studios has been such a pleasure to track our songs with, and he's a killer engineer who pitches great suggestions, really listens to any bit of feedback we have and stays efficient!

But as soon as we get into the space there are always going to be some of those jitters regardless, so something that at least helps me is shaking and wiggling around with polo to loosen my body and try to get out of my head, or doing breathing/meditation with Vic.

I dress comfortably but also in a way that makes me feel like I'm ready to work. I also blast our past recorded drafts of the songs we're editing that day in my car before I arrive and do some vocal warm-ups during that time. Stealing Wes’ snacks that he brought for himself is also a mandatory grounding technique (sorry Wes) and lots of Dunkin donuts (not sponsored) teas/refreshers.

-Soph (Bass/Vocal)

Share a bit about your first time playing live as a group. Was there a moment that really stuck with you?

Man, our first show was at the bar that we frequent and that I bartend at, Swig in Wicker Park. We probably had like 6 unfinished songs and had a bunch of our buddies come through. I was so incredibly nervous because as much as your friends want to support you, you never really know how people are gonna react.

But the most memorable moment was when a mosh pit broke out for our song 'Meshuggah We're Going Down Swingin'. I come from a background of going to all of these metalcore and deathcore shows, and I never dreamed that people could mosh to my music. Especially at our first show! It warmed my jaded heart.

-Polo

Chicago has so many amazing venues. Is there a venue you'd like to play that you haven't yet?

Short term wise definitely Empty bottle. We haven’t played there yet as Woonds and I’ve always been a fan of that venue.

Long term wise would definitely be either Lincoln Hall and Thalia Hall. We’ve seen a lot of friends in the music scene make it to those stages and we’ve gone out to support those big moments for them. Seeing homies on the big stages definitely inspires me to keep grinding and that anything is possible. Our time will come soon enough.

-Sergio (Lead guitar)

What does being part of the Chicago music scene mean to you?

Being a part of the music scene in Chicago I think is very fortunate.

There’s so much talent and diversity along with so many great venues to go to. So for me, I feel lucky to be able to be a part of it.

-Isaac

What's next for Woonds? Any upcoming shows or more new music we can get ready for?

We’ve got a couple more shows lined up for the summer but not many. We’re currently sitting on another EP that’s almost ready to drop we’re just working out some finishing touches and getting artwork ready.

We love playing shows but we’re going to be shifting back into hermit mode to rest a bit and focus on writing new songs so we can bring some new material into the new year. We’ve got a collection of ideas that we want to revisit.

-Sergio

The zombie apocalypse happens. Which members aren't making it and who survives?

Honestly, Issac and I would probably be the ones that die trying to hold a horde back trying to be the heroes to be honest.

Sophie is such a sweet soul that I think she would probably get eaten by a loved one that turned.

I believe either Vic or Polo would make it to be honest. With Polo’s experience in playing survivor like games I could see Polo being able to take lead in a group of other survivors and convincing people to stay rational or maybe convince them to turn into a group of cannibals. LOL

Victor could definitely be a logical thinking lone wolf and or be an essential teammate of a surviving group.

-Sergio

Check out the ‘Chroo’ lyric video below!

Follow Woonds on Instagram @woonds_ .