New York-based DJ and producer Sir Winston swung by before the end of the year to tell his story of how he fell in love with electronic music and more.
Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to the sounds that Sir Winston creates. Originally from Australia, he quickly developed a passion for all things rock and began to immerse himself as a music maker by picking up the guitar and beginning to write songs. This led to him moving to the US for years, where he continued his trajectory in that sonic realm, but eventually, he found his way back to Melbourne, where he discovered a new love – electronic music.
It was in Australia where Sir Winston’s desire to create dance music began to grow deeper, and by 2014, he had made plans to return to the US, this time choosing New York City as his new home. Since returning to the States, he’s blossomed to become a force to be reckoned with a blend of music and fashion as he continues to create a signature brand.
This year, Sir Winston dropped some serious heat on the Démons à Combattre EP. Written in Paris and recorded in Brooklyn, this collection of tunes showcases the dynamic nature of his sound as he explores indie dance and electroclash while layering in elements from the Bloghaus era. As a proper pairing, he delivered a flurry of remixes from the EP, including one for his fantastic single “Fashion Is A Drug.” And there’s no better way to celebrate than by spinning a mix that’s filled to the brim with some energetic gems ahead of the holiday season.
This one starts out fierce and punchy and doesn’t let up. I really love the track by Adrian Hour, and the ESSEL track is rocking, too. I’ve got my latest release, “Fashion is a Drug (Remix),” in there too. It’s a good pumping mix to have heading into NYE.
Sir Winston
Listen to this exclusive guest mix from Sir Winston on SoundCloud and read on for a deeper look at his story, from growing up in Australia to his recent adventures in New York.
Stream This Is Home 091 || Sir Winston [Melbourne/NYC] on SoundCloud:
What was your experience like growing up in Australia? How do you feel that impacted your passion for electronic music?
Growing up in Australia, I was more into punk, hard rock, and classic rock. I loved playing guitar and writing songs. I was always putting together bands and started releasing music when I was 16. The band scene in Melbourne was very healthy, and I loved it. I moved to the USA when I was 19 and spent many years recording and touring in the States.
When I eventually returned to Australia, I started partying and clubbing a lot in Melbourne and fell in love with dance and electronic music. I started working with local DJs and producers and released a lot of music in different electronic genres: dance, chill-out, and electroclash. The club scene was amazing back in the day in Melbourne, and I dived right in.
More recently, you’ve made your home in bustling New York City. What drew you to NYC, and what was the shift in culture like for you after moving to the States?
I’d toured all over the States for years and lived mainly in LA and Texas. I’d played shows in New York but never spent much time. In 2014, the time was right and I made the move to the City, and it’s been home base ever since. I’ve always been drawn to the music and the artists from New York. I grew up listening to Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and Talking Heads. I love bands like The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, and Sleigh Bells. There’s also amazing underground electronic music that I constantly discover.
New York is like nowhere else in the world. I love the culture and the pace. It’s a wonderland of art. And New York really brings out drive and focus in me. I work really hard and push myself in New York. I don’t think I could, or should, live anywhere else.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the dance scene in NYC? How does it compare to others you’ve experienced around the world?
It changes constantly, and you can’t really compare. The dance scene in Melbourne is really thriving post-pandemic. I spent a lot of time in London this year and had some fun moments. There are great festivals around those cities, too.
But New York is unique. There is so much else going on outside of the dance scene that it makes the dance scene feel special and underground. In summer, it’s all about Brooklyn Mirage – it’s amazing and has big profile shows every week. There’s been a move out to Bushwick, which is deeper into Brooklyn, where there’s a lot happening. But I mostly like to stay in the city. My new favorite club is oddly in Midtown; it’s called The Stranger. I went there for Halloween – an insane party.
Finally, where would you take us on a night out on the town in New York for dinner, drinks, and some clubbing?
I like going to Minneta for dinner; it’s my local fave. Drinks could be anywhere – it depends on where we are. If there was something on at Brooklyn Mirage, we could go there, and I’d want to end up at The Stranger – it’s a real experience.
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