Ginger Wildheart Interview

15 July 2026 Andrew Ellis

Ginger Wildheart Interview: The Future of The Wildhearts

Anyone who knows me knows that my two favourite bands are AC/DC and The Wildhearts, but this Ginger Wildheart Interview is really about what I believe is one of the greatest songwriters this country has ever produced.

It never ceases to amaze me just how much music Ginger continues to create. For me, it usually goes something like this: a new album arrives, I listen to it once and think, “Yeah, it’s good, but I’m not sure it’s as strong as the last one.” Then I keep listening, and before long I realise I’m hearing another masterpiece filled with songs that stay with me for years. That’s the magic of Ginger Wildheart — his records reveal more of themselves every time you return to them.

It’s been a few years since our last conversation, and given the sad news we’ve received this year, I wanted to ask him about the future of The Wildhearts, what comes next, and how he’s approaching the road ahead. One thing I’m certain of is that, until the very last day, Ginger will keep writing classic songs.

I hope you enjoy this Ginger Wildheart Interview, and hopefully I’ll see you at the next gig.

Ginger Wildheart Interview

Let’s start with the new music. What do you think is the absolute best song on Northern Spirit, and what makes it stand out to you?

I can honestly say that the album holds up as a complete piece. I don’t see individual songs on this one. The label asked me to pick a first single and I couldn’t. It’s probably the most complete album I’ve ever been involved in.

The Wildhearts have always been a chameleon of a band. With “Spider Beach” already making waves live and showcasing a brilliant use of Carol’s keyboards, how does the rest of Northern Spirit define itself against last year’s Satanic Rites? Is it a continuation of that raw aggression, or does it tap into a completely different emotional landscape?

Our producer described it as “a journey into the WiLDHEARTS universe”. With that in mind, I’d say it’s a mix of everything we’ve ever done. From the noise of Endless Nameless to the melody of The WiLDHEARTS Must Be Destroyed. It’s a very fearless album and very, very interesting.

I’m so very connected to this album. It’s the most organic one I’ve ever been involved in.

You must have so many amazing stories from over the years. Back in 2016, you put out the brilliant Songs & Words book, but so much has happened since then. Have you ever considered doing a full, traditional follow-up biography to capture the last decade of madness?

I had considered a Songs & Words 2, but got sidetracked with the autobiography I’m writing. Maybe I’ll have time left to do both?

I like the idea of writing the autobiography right up until my final day on Earth, so maybe Songs & Words 2 would make sense as it could come out in my lifetime

Could you give us one of those legendary stories right now? Last time we spoke, you told us about doing an interview in New York with a young Taylor sitting on your knee. What’s another favorite memory that sticks out?

This is one of those impossible to answer questions. There have been, and continues to be stories for days. Especially with Jon Poole around. There’s never a dull moment with that mad bastard about.

Fear not, the book will attempt to tell them all.

If someone asked me to pick my favorite Wildhearts song, I’d find it impossible because it’s constantly changing. Right now, it’s got to be “Mazel Tov Cocktail” after hearing you guys absolutely crush it live at Bearded Theory last month. If you had to pick just one definitive song from your catalog right now, what would it be?

Another impossible one. There’s one on the new album called Motherfucker In The Sky, that pretty much encapsulates everything the band is about. I look forward to people hearing that one.

Can you see The Wildhearts continuing after your time? You’ve built such a close, direct relationship with your fanbase and created this incredibly loyal, unique community—do you see the legacy outliving the current era?

I think the spirit will always live on. Who knows about the band? Taylor is killing it with his band Damsens, I reckon he’d make a good replacement for me.

Check out their Instagram HERE

Last time we talked, you let us in on your ultimate musical guilty pleasure: Dolly Parton. If you had to pick another non-rock artist or genre that you absolutely love but people might not expect, who would it be?

I love queer-core pop. It’s high energy pop with fun, intelligent lyrics and it sounds, to me anyway, like a celebration of individuality.

There’s so much music that falls under the ‘queer’ banner that I adore. Check out a Canadian artist called Talk. They’re amazing, earworms for days. But Tegan & Sara, Rene Rapp, Chappel Roan, AARX, Perfune Genius..the list goes on. It all makes me proud to be an outcast.

You’ve just played the hallowed turf (or mud!) of Download Festival again. Looking back across your entire touring life, what stands out as your single greatest gig?

This years Download would take some beating, but Download 2008, the year they pulled the power on us and I caught the egg, was very special, and there were shows on the Songs & Words tour that were otherworldly, mainly because I tackled a massive phobia of doing spoken word shows.

You’ve always had a unique gift for packing massive, complex pop melodies into crushing, heavy riffs — almost like the Beach Boys meeting Motörhead. When you’re writing, do you usually find yourself starting with that pop hook and toughening it up, or does the heavy riff come first and demand a melody?

Sometimes the riff, sometimes the chorus, they arrive in a ton of different ways, dependent on what the songs wants. They usually tell me that they want to be born, and all I have to ask is ‘why’ and the Universe does the rest

You’ve lived through the peak of the major label era, the rise of the internet, and now the streaming age. What is something about the modern rock scene or the way new bands have to operate today that genuinely excites you, and what breaks your heart a bit?

I miss the word of mouth factor, it used to be realy exciting to see your band rise in popularity. Competing with other bands on a quality basis. Nowadays bands can gauge attendance based on ‘likes’.

I also miss analogue desks in studios and having to be able to play and sing in real time. Now anyone can be tight and in tune, the laptop does the heavy lifting

But social media has made it easier for bands to get their name around and if they’re good it’ll translate into amazing live experiences. That’s a huge plus

Is there a specific song or B-side in your massive back catalog that you think is an absolute masterpiece, but for some reason, it just slipped under the radar and never got the love it deserved from the wider public?

There’s a song on 555% called Time. I always tell people that’s the song I’m most proud of. I can listen to that and imagine it’s not me. I never listen to my own stuff, but with that one I can make an exception

Of all the hundreds of lyrics you’ve written, is there one specific line that you still look back on and think, “Yeah, I nailed that completely”? (I have to ask… is it “Kunce”?)

Lyrics are a product of the situations of that time. So nailing a lyric as a 30 year old is entirely different than as a 60 year old. I really like the way I write lyrics now, I think I’m prouder than I’ve ever been with my use of words

There’s one on Northern Spirit called Just Make It To Bedtime‘ that came completely by stream of consciousness. I read it the next morning and couldn’t remember writing a word of it. That stuff keeps me believing that there are other energies involved in my songwriting, and in all good art in general.

Meeting folks on the road comes with the territory. Who is the best celebrity you’ve ever met over the years, and who was the absolute worst?

Kiss were the most disappointing, without a doubt. The best were Dolly Parton and Ron Mael

We have the new album coming later this year, but knowing your legendary work ethic, you’re usually three steps ahead. Are you working on any other side projects right now, or are you focusing entirely on touring for the foreseeable future?

I’ve written the next album and cant wait to get together with the band to flesh it out and fully arrange it. I love the new songs so much, I can’t wait to hear them in all their fully formed glory

When you sit down with a guitar, how quickly do you know where a song belongs? Is there a distinct mental shift between writing a classic Wildhearts-style anthem and unleashing something completely visceral and avant-garde like Mutation?

I never sit down with a guitar and try to write. Every song comes to me at totally random times. Sometimes fully formed and sometimes just ideas that need some gentle coaxing. It’s an entirely spiritual sensation for me, I genuinely feel I’m sharing the experience with higher powers

Thanks Ginger, I will see you guys next at Firevolt

Can’t wait