Wild Pink Frontman John Ross Discusses New EP Strawberry Eraser, Upcoming Tour and Health Status

Wild Pink’s John Ross Talks About the New EP Strawberry Eraser

New York-based band Wild Pink has recently delivered a fresh new EP Strawberry Eraser, and in this regard, we caught up with the band’s frontman, John Ross to discuss this new release, its connection to their 2022’s album ILYSM, and their upcoming tour including a Saturday night gig at recordBar.

Johnson on Health

Firstly, we enquired about his current health status in the light of the cancer battle he has been open about in several interviews. He expressed that his health is in good shape with clean scans for the past two- three years.

About the New EP, Strawberry Eraser

In terms of the newly released EP, it was surprising to learn that two of the tracks were recorded at home. Ross mentioned that he has a personal studio setup at his home where he worked remotely with Adam Schatz who played the saxophone and some synthesizer. The final track of the EP, “Cielo Wheed,” was part of a recording session with Justin Pizzoferrato in western Massachusetts over the summer.

The Desire for Evolution in Sound

Ross admitted that they’re always seeking a change in their sound. He mentioned that recording at home allowed him to experiment with a more diverse instrumentation that isn’t quite feasible while recording in a studio with the band. In terms of an upcoming LP, Ross stated that he is in the process of releasing new music and that the tracks from the EP are simply standalone.

Influences and Inspiration

Discussing their major influences, Ross mentioned being inspired by the likes of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. However, he is increasingly drawn to the home-recorded approach, envisioning a spectrum of genres including folk rock, shoegaze, and dream pop. This isn’t definitive and he has not ruled out a change in the future.

Co-Headlining Tour with Sun June

Ross was excited about partnering with Sun June for the tour which was put together thanks to a suggestion by their manager. They have about two or three weeks left on their tour. On a side note, he shared the band’s openness to occasionally perform at house shows, though these are much less frequent compared to the early years when they were a part of the DIY touring scene.

Post-ILYSM Trajectory

Ross admitted to a considerable change post-ILYSM, especially in light of the positive reception the album received and the addition of high-profile guest artists. He mentioned every record being different and noted that the new recordings were less collaborative than before. The new songs, he added, were more suited for live performances, and were composed with the current four-piece band structure in mind.

Current Playlist

Lastly, Ross shared a variety of current favorite listenings, including the podcast “Ghost Stories for the End Of The World,” music by Martin Rev, Brian Eno, Nick Lowe, and Nick Drake.

For fans, there’s a chance to witness Wild Pink live at the upcoming RecordBar show on Saturday, March 23, with Sun June.