[INTERVIEW] Fusion jazz band Winterplay - Part 1

From left, Winterplay members Lee Juhan, So Eunkyu, Choi Woojoon and Haewon. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Winterplay, composed of members So Eunkyu (bass), Lee Juhan (trumpet ), Choi Woojoon (guitar) and Haewon (vocals), is a group which does music that cannot be defined by a single word. The four members are jazz musicians but their music can be associated with various genres such as jazz, pop, Latin and lounge. And their latest second full-length album "Songs of Colored Love" which appeals to the public while containing the characteristics of jazz music, borderlines between jazz, Latin and pop music. So it may be because they do such music but their songs have been acknowledged by fans in Japan first, particularly by those who enjoy various types of jazz. London's media outlet The Sunday Times gave the "Songs of Colored Love" four stars out of five, saying "It breaks down the walls between jazz pop and lounge music." 10Asia sat down for an interview with this fusion jazz band.

10: I heard you received favorable reviews from the The Sunday Times in London.
Lee Juhan: This was our first showcase in London so I got scared when I found out they were writing a review about us as well. I'm thankful that we got a good review. They compared our vocalist's singing style to pink martini and said our music like lounge music as well. I think they also gave us good marks for holding back and keeping our music simple instead of ad-libbing a lot which is what happens a lot for jazz music.
Choi Woojoon: We got similar reviews in Japan as well. The audience seems to be interested in the lounge style of music that we create with the few instruments that we have. And we're supposed to lift up the atmosphere for our concerts but the Japanese audience seem to prefer more composed and mellow performances.
Lee: You can see a lot of jazz mixed with hip-hop, pop jazz remixes and other various music on Japan's iTunes jazz chart. We believe that our music is neither pop nor jazz but rather a different sound and I think that suits the taste of our Japanese listeners.

10: That seems to be more apparent in this album. It's a mix of more mellow music, Latin, jazz and pop.
Lee: We included the jazz remake of "Billie Jean" in our last album "Hot Summer Play" because we wanted to show that we can play fun music. However, for this full-length album we wanted to continue on with our musical characteristic from our first album.

10: It's important that your music mixes pop melody with jazz accompaniment but isn't it difficult to create such songs?
Lee: That is why we had a harder time than we thought. We wanted to make a song which has an easier melody to understand in the chorus but it didn't pan out as I wanted it to since I'm not a music composer. That is why we decided to create music which allows the vocals to stand out more while hoping to produce a track that maintains the harmony of the whole group.
Choi: We had to harmonize with each other by having each person create their own melody since we didn't have a drum to follow through for the rhythm. That is when we realized what sounds a guitar can make.
Lee: Our group is more like an orchestra in the sense that we don't have drums. We take charge of a part and work out the melodies instead of following a strong rhythm. That is why we have to stay alert because if we don't, the sounds will get tangled amongst each other.
So Eunkyu: We don't have drums or other string instruments other than the guitar so the bass doesn't play a rhythm but rather has to play in harmony with other melodies. That is why we tried out the song with the melody and without it. It wasn't easy.

10: It somehow seems that you feel regret over the recording process. (laugh) Why did we go forth without drums?
Lee JH: At first the four of us wanted to release a Christmas album. We have performed with one another while playing in different clubs but to be honest I didn't have a job then. (laugh) The original team that I was in only came together during sessions and we broke up during the holidays to work with different singers. That is why during that time we [the members of Winterplay] thought of releasing a Christmas album and held a concert in December and then come together in June for a summer record. So the first day we met, we each ate a bowl of jajangmyeon [black-bean-sauce noodles] and decided to bring one song the next day. (laugh)

10: (laugh) Is that possible?
Lee: No, it wasn't. (laugh) The sound that was created when we came together was good so instead of a Christmas album, we decided to do it right and worked until the end of the year. We spent Christmas Day in the recording studio (laugh) and we released the album. Then Fluxus [record company] heard it and said they want to sign with us. That is why we are here today. Also, we left out the drums because it didn't fit our budget.

10: Is that how you came to produce the kind of music you do today? From beginning to end, you all collaborate with each other without having any solo parts.
Choi: It was hard at first and outside of the studio, we were told to take out parts that seem to long. To tell you the truth, it wasn't that fun. (laugh) I was able to understand what Lee, who was the producer of the album, was aiming for after listening to the finished album. I think I've come to realize what our group's music is about while working with them for three years. And the way I play the guitar has changed as well.
Lee: I don't think of myself as playing my trumpet solo in my group but that I rather adhere strictly to the melody line of the song. It goes the same for the rest of the members.

Senior Reporter : Kang Myoung-Seok two@
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@, Lee Ji-Hye seven@