Coldstream writer/musician Joe Pinheiro's latest project is signed, sealed, and delivered.
Pinheiro 鈥� the Phunk in the duo Phunk & Wangles 鈥� has completed a double album, Songs in the Key of Phunk, which he says transforms years of writing into song.
鈥淚 love writing 鈥� I write a lot,鈥� says Pinheiro. 鈥淧oems, rants, observations 鈥� they fill my notebooks and phone. The past couple of years have been full of big changes, and I wrote even more than usual."
Pinheiro was listening to music icon Stevie Wonder鈥檚 album Songs In The Key of Life a lot while working on this album.
Plus, (the Wonder song) Master Blaster was the first song I learned on bass. It was also a nickname I got during a memorable recording session back in the day," said Pinheiro. "That鈥檚 why I called the album Songs In The Key of Phunk.鈥�
Following The Phunk Philes, which first explored AI-assisted songwriting, this new 22-track collection continues the journey.
It blends Pinheiro鈥檚 lifelong love of words with fresh melodies and sounds. The latest single, Keep Dusting, follows releases like Fading In The Echo, Lessen The Load, Familia Portuguesa, and the tribute Goodnight Gord (written about late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie), offering a rich mix of genres, stories, and sonic surprises.
While Pinheiro isn鈥檛 a singer, he hears distinct voices bringing his songs to life: Familia with Mariza or Nelly Furtado; Keep Dusting with Thunder Queen or The Linda Lindas; Dazzle & Sparkle with Michael Bubl茅; and Never Lets Me Down as a duet with Jann Arden and k.d. lang.
鈥淚 worked with Jann years ago 鈥� that would be wild," he said. "I鈥檓 a dreamer, and lately, I love the quote, 鈥楧reaming takes action.'"
This album also continues the phase of the Phunk & Wangles project without collaborator Doug Elliott (Wangles).
Fresh tracks like Bring Me Your Love, Put Your Back Into It, Smokeshow, Lonely Like Me, showcase Pinheiro鈥檚 evolving songwriting and storytelling.
On AI鈥檚 role, Pinheiro said: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of debate about AI in music, but for me, it鈥檚 just another tool 鈥� like a collaborator that helps turn ideas into songs faster. I see these as really strong songwriting demos. I鈥檓 not trying to get on stage, but working this way has actually inspired me to play and write more on my instruments.
鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed finding and promoting other artists throughout my life 鈥� it鈥檚 different being on this side, but I love it. Working with Wangles reminded me how much I love making music, whether with others or on my own. I appreciate anyone listening 鈥� that still blows my mind away. Having so much fun.鈥�
Songs In The Key of Phunk is now streaming on all platforms.
For more information, visit phunkandwangles.com.
