Walter Meego ~ From Ugly Betty to Heineken

Words and Photos by Joe Koch

Justin Sconza (vocals,guitars and keyboards) and Colin Yarck (beats and synthesizers) are the brains behind the operation known as Walter Meego — a name for one of Justin's alter egos.
Both were residents of the windy city, where they met at the University of Illinois. Justin was studying Italian and Colin was studying Spanish. The two started collaborating in 2003, producing a couple of EPs before getting signed to a label. Last spring, they released their first full length album, Voyager, with hints of 80's pop.
"Definitely it was our childhood, but it wasn't a conscious decision to make it sound that way," said Colin.
Although the songs seem very innocent and bubbly, you discover Justin writing about personal demons. "I always write about real life, never about sugar-plum fairies and things that aren't real," said Justin.
On the flipside, Voyager has spawned the feel-good pop hit "Forever," featured in the Heineken beer-tender commercial and in an episode of the hit TV show "Ugly Betty.
"I knew it had the potential to do something," said Justin of the song. Colin quickly added, "We all generally agreed that it was a pretty good song."
After four years of making music, they agreed it was time to relocate, and it was off to Los Angeles where the sun always shines. "I like it. It's fun. It gets a bad rap, but that's only from the people that leave," said Justin.
There was a strategy behind the relocation. "We went there to build on a fan-base that already existed," said Justin.
The duo is excited about their future endeavors; they have successfully supported acts like Vampire Weekend, MGMT and are on tour with Ra Ra Riot. They may headline a tour this winter.
"We have so much undiscovered ground, it's important to play places like Rochester, N.Y. — new places where we have to try and win the audience over," said Justin.
"It usually goes over pretty well. It's hard to tell sometimes when the person is standing there with their hands in their pockets acting like they're not diggin' it," said Colin, "but then they're at your merch table after the show buying a CD."
They say they want the opportunity to keep making music and never get pigeon-holed, with the freedom to grow as musicians. "I would love to start incorporating some of our major influences like the Beatles and Nirvana, said Justin. "We don't want to force anything."

For more info go to: www.waltermeego.com

www.myspace.com/waltermeego