Winona Fighter has never been a band that’s played it safe.
“Punk isn’t just about sound, it’s about doing whatever you want,” lead singer Coco Kinnon shared over a recent phone interview.
As the powerhouse behind the Nashville-based pop-punk trio, she’s built a reputation on raw, unfiltered energy and a deep love for the genre’s rebellious spirit. Now, with the band’s debut album, “MY APOLOGIES TO THE CHEF,” Kinnon and her bandmates are channeling that passion into a record that’s equal parts personal and universal—an electrified, emotional rollercoaster designed to make listeners feel like it was written just for them.
“Punk has always been about truth and feeling seen, and that’s what this album is all about,” she said. “Every song is a reflection of something that hit me hard, something I couldn’t shake. I hope when people hear it, they feel like they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through.”
At just 15, Kinnon got her start in the band Left Hand Blue, an experience she credits with teaching her the basics—not just about music, but about navigating the industry with a good head on her shoulders. That foundation has carried into her work with Winona Fighter, where she channels an unfiltered, raw energy that resonates throughout the album.
“MY APOLOGIES TO THE CHEF” explores the human experience, tapping into emotions and stories that feel intimately familiar, even to those hearing them for the first time. “Anyone can listen to the record and be like, ‘Is that about me? How does she know who I am?’” Kinnon said. Each track serves as a snapshot of a feeling, a moment, or an observation—rooted in her personal philosophy of songwriting. “I write about every song that has moved me, every lyric that lingers in my mind long after the music stops.”
A love letter to punk, the album doesn’t adhere to a singular sound but instead embraces the genre’s many facets. “We wanted to touch on little bits of punk as a whole,” she said. The result is a dynamic, high-energy record that pays homage to the past while carving out something fresh and exciting.
Winona Fighter’s upcoming tour will bring them to Los Angeles at The Echo on Feb. 25, a city and venue that holds a special place in Kinnon’s heart.
“When I was living in Los Angeles, I remember seeing The Echo for the first time and watching a couple of shows, always thinking to myself that when the time comes, I’d love to play here. I have to make it a reality. So it’s a bit surreal that we’re actually doing it,” she said.
Having lived there for a few years before making Nashville her home, she’s eager to return and share this new chapter with fans. Adding a personal touch to the tour, Kinnon hand-selected every opening act, ensuring that each date features a band that reflects the local scene. Many of these bands she discovered online or through direct outreach, further reinforcing the DIY spirit that fuels Winona Fighter.
“A lot of the opening bands were ones I found while scrolling through Instagram or Spotify,” she said. “It was important for us to bring on local artists who are doing really awesome things. That’s how we started out, and I think as you grow as an artist, you should bring others along for the journey, too.”
As the band gears up to take “MY APOLOGIES TO THE CHEF” on the road, they’re inviting fans—new and old—to join them in the chaos, the catharsis, and the community that punk music fosters.
“This tour feels like a love letter to punk fans from all ages and all areas. And what I hope fans enjoy the most when coming to the show is the feel of community. That’s what punk is all about.”
Winona Fighter
Where: The Echo,1822 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles
When: Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Tickets: $27.50 at Livenation.com.