A Short History of The Winnebago Orchestra.

The Winnebago Orchestra were formed in England in 2001. They are former Blue Aeroplanes guitarist Caroline Trettine and multi instrumentalist Spencer Roberts.

Together they perform a singularly eclectic, yet brilliant blend of melodic English beat poetry and song. After releasing a couple of albums on their own independent Oporto Records in 2002/3, they were snapped up by tuition in 2005.

It's impossible to draw comparisons, so no one does!

However, their influences range from the melodic pop of The Go Betweens, through to Nick Drake, Love, Fairport Convention, The Velvet Underground right through to Erik Satie and Laurie Anderson, but this provides but a fraction of a guide to their unique musical appeal.

Spencer's unique musical talent, creates sounds and landscapes which act as a cinematic canvas to singer-songwriter and former Blue Aeroplanes guitarist Caroline Trettine. Caroline, a former protege of Billy Bragg, adds an extra dimension to The Winnebago Orchestra with her sensual and folk orientated vocal style.
 

The current Winnebago Orchestra live line up are:

Spencer Roberts - Acoustic and electric guitars
Caroline Trettine - Vocals, acoustic guitar
Pete Geoghegan - Bass
Liz Ralls - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Bob Bowman - Lap steel guitar
Chris Vigz - drums
Paul Carroll - Laptop
 

Winnebago Orchestra's debut CD on tuition is "fifteen". It was produced by Spencer Roberts with help from their long-time friend Lee Beddow. "Fifteen" starts with Get Me, a passionate romp through the past love life of someone close through to the Talking Heads influenced "Love is here with me", there's even a cover of the classic Jazz Butcher tune entitled "Angels", which is like a little beat pop symphony. Meanwhile the seaside stomps of "Pebbles" provides an arch counterpoint.

The result is an eclectic mini masterpiece, sounding, without exception, like no one before them.