Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with The Wellinsongs Brothers

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

Funny enough, I barely cared about music until I was around ten, at least, that’s how I remember it. Then, out of nowhere, a neighbour handed me this tiny Bontempi organ, like a surprise gift from the universe. No one in my family had the slightest clue how to play it, but that didn’t stop me; I spent countless hours poking at those keys, utterly absorbed and loving every minute of it.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

At the beginning, I wasn’t interested in what other musicians played or composed, nor in music theory. I felt this almost urgent need to invent my own rules, to chase down combinations of sounds that actually spoke to my soul. I dove into composing right away; it became my secret doorway out of reality, a way to tap into something bigger than myself. And long before music took hold, when I was just six, I was convinced I’d grow up to be a poet. Silly, right? But in the end, that childhood dream didn’t vanish; it merged beautifully with my love for music, and the two collided in the most magical way through songwriting.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

Definitely projects. I’ve been pouring my energy into two major ones over the past few years: The Wellinsongs Brothers and the Rusty Arrows.

The Wellinsongs Brothers is essentially my outlet for sharing my folkish, country-leaning original songs, sometimes performing solo, sometimes as a duo with Jeremy Gooch—mostly at open mics. But it also expands into a full band for festivals, charity events, and bigger stages, with an incredible crew: Jeremy Gooch, Simon Davies, Kirsty Smith, Ben Benedict, Graham Jolly, and Jamie Gooch. We released some of our material a few months back as a live record, The Chapter House EP. I feel genuinely lucky to work with such talented professional musicians. They each have their own thriving projects, Chalk & Cheese, L-Shaped Room, Washed Ashore, Big in Brazil, to name a few and they jump into The Wellinsongs Brothers as a side adventure, which makes the whole thing feel even more special.

The Rusty Arrows, that’s a completely different beast. It’s a collaboration between me and multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Daniel Kent. We’re on the cusp of releasing a 10-track album of original songs. Unlike the raw, live energy of The Wellinsongs Brothers, this project is fully produced in the studio, drawing on a whole mix of influences from folk and country to blues and pop. It’s more polished, eclectic, and endlessly exciting to work on.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I don’t think words can ever fully pin it down. But if there’s one thread running through all my music, it’s a soft ache, a quiet yearning, a kind of wistful nostalgia for what once was, for what never quite happened, and for what can never be.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

I’ve always written and played music for myself, secretly hoping that someday someone else would step in and breathe life into my songs. But as the years rolled by and no one appeared to sing or play them, it hit me: if these songs were ever going to exist beyond my notebook, I’d have to be the one to give them a voice. That’s when I started singing my own work. And through that journey, I learned to be unapologetically authentic, to embrace who I am and to turn my sensitivity and fragility into strengths.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

I’d say the fewer tools, the better. I compose mainly on guitar and piano, recording ideas on my phone or a portable Tascam recorder, and writing lyrics on whatever is at hand. Anything beyond that feels like a barrier to my creativity. I’ve always felt more like a receiver than a deliberate creator, ideas can strike at any moment, in any setting, and when they do, I have to grab them fast. I even composed Starlight in my sleep!

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Van Morrison, Fred Neil, Tim Buckley, Willie Nelson, and Fito Páez are the artists I turn to every day, especially when I’m frustrated with my own music. Their work always grounds me, offering fresh inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose, and connecting me to something deeper.

Among newer artists, I’m especially fascinated by two UK country musicians: Ags Connolly and Susannah Clegg. Both possess a wonderfully raw and authentic quality in their music.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

I don’t have a defined artistic vision, even though I’ve spent time searching for one. Ultimately, my music stems directly from my personal experiences.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I’ve never really thought about that, as I rarely consider what listeners might think of my music. There’s no deliberate message in my songs, they’re about a feeling. I simply hope that listeners can sense and share in what I feel when I play them.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

I’ve never seen music as separate from life; I don’t know if it has taught me anything, but I’m grateful to have it to experience.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I don’t really have one, to be honest. I love playing acoustic, so I enjoy small, intimate venues, churches, theatres, and clubs, where my performances can truly flourish and connect with the audience. Nothing big or fancy; in many ways, I feel my dream has already come true.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I’d probably choose Willie Nelson not because I wouldn’t love to spend time with legends like Van Morrison or Tim Buckley, but let’s be honest: there’s only room for one gloomy soul at the table, and I’ve already claimed that seat. Willie, on the other hand, would walk in and instantly brighten the whole room.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

I’m not exactly a social-media wizard. I do have a Facebook page and an Instagram account under Dom Traetto, but I post on them only once in a blue moon. The Wellinsongs Brothers EP, can be easily found on Spotify, YouTube, and all the usual platforms. Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZkJFBHqppvtZ4GW9gIW4p

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

Keep writing, playing, and connecting with fellow musicians and audiences.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope that listeners will discover my music, first and foremost, because it’s not an easy world out there. Even knowing there’s just one person on the other end, really listening, makes all the difference. To me, music is always about connecting with yourself, with your own emotions, so I truly hope my songs can help people tap into their own feelings, to feel something real and deep.

Thank you for listening, I leave you with this video I recently made for Americana UK