Winona Fighter Release Debut Album, "My Apologies To The Chef"

Nashville based punk stars Winona Fighter dropped their hotly anticipated debut album, "My Apologies To The Chef" via Rise Records and the band are serving up raw vulnerability, catchy hooks, and a special je nais se quois that separates them from their peers.

Frontwoman and multi-instrumentalist Coco Kinnon, lead guitarist Dan Fusion, bassist/producer Austin Luther have crafted a debut so fiery audiences have no choice but to take notice. That snarky anger paired with early 00s teen movie choruses makes this an early contender for my favorite album of the year. Some have even likened Coco’s vocals to Brody Dale which is insanely high and well deserved praise!

When asked about the emotions on the record, "I feel like we're taught to suppress our anger," Coco says," whether it's to do with what's going on in the world or in our lives. And that's so lame. Why are we so okay with people being sad and anxious, and not okay with people having an outlet to be angry? That just blows my mind. I think if more people were able to be angry, maybe everyone would be a little happier."

"My Apologies To The Chef" was recorded in Austin's home studio, "I call it Studio A...A for Austin," he smiles. Coco chimes in, “Our amazing label Rise Records allowed us to take our DIY approach to the recording of the album. The process was a dream scenario. It was just me, Dan and Austin in our home studio from pre-production to sending it off for mastering.” That process feels more and more rare these days but that’s what is giving Winona Fighter that extra edge.

The blistering urgency of "I'M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE" makes it a standout track that highlights dating abuse, and was inspired by a letter Coco wrote for a therapy session. Instead of destroying the letter after getting her feelings out, Coco kept it for some time. She stumbled upon it while the band was starting to get attention and the idea for the song was born. "I found it at a time where people were starting to really listen to our music," she remembers. "There were a lot of young women coming to our shows and a lot of dads being like "Oh my God, my daughter would love you guys." So it felt like the right time to use my voice to sing about something pretty serious." At a time when artists are getting called out for not using their voice, the band are definitely an inspiration and to show others that they're not alone in a situation or they don't have to be alone. Someone else has gone through what you're feeling and it’s more than OK to scream your lungs out to express yourself.

Coco goes on to say, "When I showed it to Austin we thought it could maybe motivate some people who had been - or still are - in the situation I was in to speak up and speak out and try to get their power back. Originally, I wrote it for me, but [I] feel now like it's a song for other people. And there'll be these big ass grown dudes in the audience scream-singing it, so I think it means a lot to more than just the young women I had intended it to be for."

Catch Winona Fighter on their “Yes Chef” headline tour across North America this Spring and scream until your lungs give out along with the band. Grab your tickets while you still can to secure eternal bragging rights that you saw them before they got ULTRA famous.

“Yes, Chef” Tour 2025 ft. Winona Fighter

Feb 25th - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA - Buy Tickets

Feb 26th - Cornerstone - Berkeley, CA - Buy Tickets

Feb 28th - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR - Buy Tickets

March 1st - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA - Buy Tickets

March 3rd - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT - Buy Tickets

March 5th - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO - Buy Tickets

March 7th - Encore @ Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO - Buy Tickets

EU/UK

May 19th - Deaf Institution - Manchester, UK - Buy Tickets

May 20th - Heartbreakers - Southampton, UK - Buy Tickets

May 24 - 25th, - Slam Dunk Fest - Hatfield, UK - Buy Tickets

North America

June 1st - Outer Harbor - Buffalo, NY - Buy Tickets supporting Simple Plan

June 3rd - College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT - Buy Tickets supporting Simple Plan June 5th - State Theater - Portland, ME - Buy Tickets supporting Simple Plan

June 7th - Let’s Go Music Festival - Crownsville, MD - Buy Tickets

June 28th - All Your Friends Fest - Oro Station, Canada - Buy Tickets

July 8th -Kings - Raleigh, NC - Buy Tickets

July 9th - DC9 - Washington, D.C. - Buy Tickets

July 10th - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY - Buy Tickets

July 11th - Crystal Ballroom @ Somerville Theatre - Boston, MA - Buy Tickets

July 12th - The Foundry @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA - Buy Tickets

July 15th - Rumba Cafe - Columbus, OH - Buy Tickets

July 16th - The Sanctuary - Hamtramck, MI - Buy Tickets

July 17th - Subterranean - Chicago, IL - Buy Tickets

July 18th - Vivarium - Milwaukee, WI - Buy Tickets

July 19th - No Name Bar - Winona, MN - Buy Tickets