18 Questions With introduces 1883 readers to the brightest young artists, actors, creatives and beyond. From childhood memories and guilty pleasures to their latest ventures and upcoming projects, our goal is to bring you closer to the people who inspire and entertain us.
The infectious southern retro-soul band Bonneville is making a name thanks to their passionate vocals, funk-driven sonics, and expert guitar licks. Comprised of lead vocalist Wes McGee and guitarist Jeff Hayashi, the band has created many soulful tunes with a palpable energy that cannot be denied. McGee and Hayashi are now gearing up to release their sophomore record Flying Machine.
Bonneville sit down with 1883 to chat about all things music, their favourite movies, the last thing that made them laugh, and their new record.
What’s one exciting thing that happened to you this week?
Jeff Hayashi: We got confirmation that Allen Branstetter (trumpet St. Paul & the Broken Bones) will be joining us for our set at the 65 Years of Fame Studios festival Oct 4th & 5th in Huntsville, AL. Super excited to collaborate with such an amazing player.
Wes McGee: My brother and I have started investing some time and energy in a property that’s been in my family since the 1970s. We decided to put some chickens on the property and last week I collected a large amount of fresh eggs. There’s something exciting about watching nature do its work.
What was the last thing you read?
JH: Well these days, having a 4 year old and a 6 year old, my esoteric reading has taken a back burner to such classics as, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”…
WM: The Biography of X Catherine Lacey – it’s this dystopian retelling of the experience of southern people post succession whereby the south implements draconian laws.
Favorite memory growing up?
JH: There are so many, but one that sticks out that is pertinent to my music development was Dad showing me how to properly use the turntable and stereo set when I was 3. That led to endless hours of vinyl exploration and was the underpinning of developing my musical ear.
WM: I’d say sneaking into a coat closet near the front door of my house where a guitar and a shotgun leaned against the closet wall. I’d close the door behind me and strum the guitar which was just strumming open E and humming a song by Foreigner and then flicking the shot gun safety off and on. Felt dangerous and fun.
Where was the last place you traveled to?
JH: I recently returned from a 16 day trip back to my hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. It was a special trip. We stayed in our old neighborhood and my daughter was turning 6 years old. She got to see the house she was born in and is old enough to understand the significance and form a lasting memory. Great trip.
WM: Bushwick Brooklyn, my girlfriend lives there. It’s a very chill vibe. One of the last real artist holdouts in Brooklyn.
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
JH: My kids… they are such great pals. Just listening to them play together is a total crack-up. The things they come up with… I don’t know where they get it. It’s pure joy.
WM: my dog when he gets excited for food. He’s wild!
What’s your nighttime ritual?
JH: Hopefully sleep… although I am frequently woken around 3 AM with song ideas in my mind so that often leads to writing. I guess I kind of write in my sleep.
WM: FaceTime with the girlfriend, catch an episode of The Bear, brush teeth and then stare aimlessly at YouTube videos about Japanese joinery.
Who would be on your dream dinner party guest list?
JH: Jimmy Page, Marcus Aurelius, Michael Jackson, JRR Tolkien, Quincy Jones, James Brown.
WM: Nikola Tesla, JFK, Billy Corrigan, Justin Vernon, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Gary Oldman, the guy who hacked my crypto account, Ernest Hemingway.
Favorite movie and favorite quote from a movie?
JH: Favorite Movie, probably Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Favorite Quote, “You see what happens Larry?” ~The Big Lebowski.
WM: “You keep saying that word…I don’t think it means what you think it means.” Movie – No Country for Old Men or Magnolia.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
JH: Haven’t done karaoke in years, but I used to rock Sex Machine by James Brown a lot.
WM: Hard to Handle- Black Crowes version.
Favorite item in your closet?
JH: My son’s St. Christopher pendant.
WM: my 15 year old Red Wing boots.
In a few short words, describe your music for someone who’s never heard it.
JH: It’s the funk, it’s the soul, and you gotta have the rock-n-roll.
WM: what Jeff said.
What inspired your new single “Over Breakin'”?
JH: Watching Wes go through a bad breakup. He was devastated and was having trouble finding his way out of it. We’ve all been there, and I wrote it as a dedication to him hoping it would inspire him to find his way out of the bad times and back into the great times.
What is one fun fact about yourself that people may not know?
JH: I build a lot of lego sets.
WM: I collect knives and just started a cattle farm.
Tell us about your first-ever show?
JH: We put on a showcase in the Muscle Shoals. AL area to unveil our works and prepare for a couple of festivals. It was a benefit concert we hosted for the Fame Girls Ranch. It was a great debut and a great fundraiser for a very good cause.
WM: It was pretty awesome. We raised some money for a good cause and we had a great crew of people and made a few new friends. It was my first time ever performing a full concert, so kind of a milestone.
Could you recall the moment that made you realize you wanted to pursue music as a career?
JH: Not really any particular moment. The music is just in me. I have to create and put it out for the people. I just enjoy playing the music that inspires me and I love the way music is the universal unifier. I can’t help but do what feels natural.
WM: probably everyone I hear Freddy Mercury sing. The first time hearing another one bites the dust in showbiz pizza in 1984.
Which artists would be on your dream collaboration list?
JH: I would fill up the whole page here but top five would be Jimmy Page, Chuck Leavell, Donald Fagan, Bernard Purdie, Carlos Santana
WM: Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Ben Bridwell, Chris Robinson, Thom Yorke, Hermanos Gutierrez.
What have been the most interesting lessons you’ve learnt from making your new album Flying Machine?
JH: Less boundaries. Collaboration is key for me and I always hope to be the least accomplished musician in the room and play with great players. I always come away with new insight and a fresh look at my own tunes. It makes me a better writer, a better guitarist, and a better human.
WM: keep my ears and eyes open and always be ready for anything.
Where do you hope your music career takes you for the rest of this year and beyond?
JH: We are just grinding and hyper focused on building up our exposure and reaching new listeners and fans. Our goal in 2025 is to land a deal with a top talent agency so we can take the show on the road as the proper support for leading acts that align with our sound. There is no better way to spread the love than playing in front of big crowds. We have a huge sound and a big band so it’s definitely a challenge but one we intend to bring to fruition.
WM: I feel that the more we do this the closer we get to our truest expression. Where our soul and the souls of others vibrate at the same energy – communicating on an unspoken level that only music and art can facilitate. My hope is that tv and film or theater productions can take our music and use it in their palette of colors in shaping their works. Also I’d like to tour Europe.
