Historia
Wine Lips: Toronto's Garage Punk Psych Rockers
Formed in the fall of 2015, Toronto-based garage punk psych rockers Wine Lips began as a part-time endeavor between songwriter and guitarist Cam Hilborn and drummer Aurora Evans. The band quickly established a presence in Toronto's club scene, gradually expanding their reach to surrounding cities and even into Quebec. By mid-2017, the commitment to the project intensified, leading to a full-time dedication from the members.
Debut LP and International Expansion
Wine Lips released their self-titled debut LP on the indie label Fried Records and launched their first tour, traversing five Canadian provinces and reaching the Maritimes. Their journey continued with an unexpected opportunity in April 2018, when a chance encounter led to a tour of Hong Kong and China, where they were met with an enthusiastic reception.
"Stressor" and Growing Recognition
Never ones to rest, the band released their follow-up LP, Stressor, in March 2019. This was followed by a demanding North American tour that lasted until early 2020. The release of Stressor and their extensive touring schedule cultivated a dedicated fanbase, and several tracks from the album found their way into television and Netflix productions.
"Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party" and Recording Process
During much of 2020, Wine Lips focused on writing and recording their third full-length album, Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party. The recording sessions took place at The Sugar Shack in London, Ontario, with the assistance of Simon Larochette. Cam Hilborn described the album as "crazy," emphasizing the band's meticulous approach to achieving their desired sound and expressing excitement about the final result.
Current Lineup and Critical Acclaim
The current lineup of Wine Lips features Cam Hilborn on guitar and vocals, Aurora Evans on drums, Jordan Sosensky on guitar, and Charlie Weare on bass. The band has garnered praise from various publications, with Brooklyn Vegan describing a song as a "garage-punk sugar rush." Exclaim! characterized their music as "pure adrenaline, it's noise, it's intense, it's refreshing, and it feels life-giving," calling their album "pretty fucking crazy." The Georgia Strait noted a song from Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party as "double-time, turbo-snotty garage rock slimed in gloriously vintage reverb," and praised its accompanying video as a testament to spontaneous creativity.
