Josh Wink: “Lately, I Feel Things Are More About Everything Else Than The Music”

Josh Wink is celebrating 30 years of Ovum, and he shares insight on the label, how he stays authentic, his new tune “Nerf Herder,” and more.

Josh Wink is synonymous with the evolution of dance music, a pioneer who has remained at the forefront of the scene for over three decades. As the founder of Ovum Recordings, Wink has guided the label from its DIY roots in Philadelphia to become a respected institution in dance music, celebrated for pushing boundaries and maintaining a fiercely independent spirit. This year, Ovum reaches a milestone, its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of releasing timeless tracks and shaping the global electronic landscape.

Amidst this celebration, Josh Wink continues to push his artistic boundaries with his latest single, “Nerf Herder,” which draws on both Star Wars lore and an impromptu creative moment at a Nerf event in Philadelphia. Influenced by the expansive sounds of ’90s progressive house, it showcases the more emotive direction Wink has been exploring. The release is a fitting way to honor Ovum’s 30th anniversary, leading into his annual Hallowink celebration on October 31.

Throughout his career, Josh Wink has consistently prioritized authenticity and passion, a philosophy that continues to shape his work and guide Ovum’s legacy. We sat down with the pioneer to discuss Ovum’s 30th anniversary, his upcoming release, and what continues to inspire him after three decades at the forefront of dance music. Read on for the full conversation.

Stream Josh Wink – Nerf Herder on Spotify:

Hi Josh! Thank you for sitting down with us. It’s been an exciting year for you, and we’re thrilled to hear more about what you have in store. Before we dive into Ovum’s legacy, your latest release, “Nerf Herder,” is out now on the imprint. Can you share what inspired the track and how it fits into your journey as an artist after 30 years of pushing boundaries?

Thank you. “Nerf Herder” was a reference in the Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back, where Leia insults Han by calling him a “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder.” But that wasn’t the reason I named this track “Nerf Herder.” I was waiting for my son at a Nerf event at a community center in Philadelphia. While he and 25 other participants were in a laser tag-like arena, I was composing music on my laptop in an empty room at the community center. So, I wrote this track while my son and others were herding Nerf pistols and bows downstairs, and instead of the track name being the date of when I made it or something else, this one came to mind and stuck (with a slight nod to Star Wars, Han, and Leia).

Two years ago was a period where I delved into emotional and melodic techno/house compositions (“Iz,” “The Deepness,” and “Progression”) that are slightly influenced by the ’90s progressive sound yet still have the signature Josh Wink quality to the production. I am excited to slow things down, expressing the deeper and more emotive side of me rather than my techno sound, which most people know me for.

Looking back, what has kept Ovum at the forefront of dance music for three decades, and how do you see its role in today’s evolving scene?

I feel the ethos behind our longevity and label has been to follow how we feel about the music with our hearts, not necessarily thinking about it with our heads. I feel we have to do what we feel is right for us and not base releases on what is going on in today’s music, as things are moving too fast, and the music has become disposable, peaks, and is over in a week. So, we feel good about releasing music that will sound good and stand the test of time. I listen to our catalog and am happy it still sounds relevant and timeless.

Ovum has helped launch some incredible careers. How do you find new talent for the label today, and are there any upcoming artists on Ovum you’re particularly excited about?

We have some possible signings in the future. But we’ve really just focused on my music so far this year, concentrating on the label and the catalog, rather than new signings. But there are some cool new possible releases in development.

You’ve been in the game for over 30 years. What keeps you motivated and inspired to continue evolving your music?

Passion. I simply still love electronic music. Since I was a teenager until now, being in my 50s. It’s easy to do something you love when there is excitement and passion, which I still feel strongly about.

You’ve always been vocal about the importance of staying true to yourself. How do you maintain that authenticity in an industry increasingly driven by trends and social media metrics?

I guess I’m just becoming stubborn and unconcerned with what everyone else is doing. It’s more difficult this way. And it’s not that I’m not open to change, as I realize that the most consistent thing in life is change. I just want to really love and believe in what I create rather than feel the pressure of our society to dictate what to do. I always say, “The tallest trees catch the most wind.”

The dance music scene has changed drastically since the ‘90s. What are some things you love about the current scene, and what do you think could be improved?

Yes, it has, and even drastically since the beginning of this year! It’s really fast! I love the fact that more people have access to buying or streaming this once hidden, ‘cult’-like music. I think that phones at events should be non-existent. Venues, whatever size or location, should enforce a policy to safely lock up people’s smartphones (for the time they’re there) and force people to get back into the music and experience the now. People always say, “It’s all about the music,” and I feel it’s gotten far away from that statement. Lately, I feel that things are more about everything else than “The Music.”

With technology evolving rapidly, how do you feel about balancing traditional DJing and the newer, more tech-driven performances we see today?

I’m a fan of good music and don’t really mind how it’s presented to me, as long as it’s good. People are creative and can be artistic with all kinds of musical tools at their disposal. I think it’s great if a DJ/artist knows the history of our culture, but I don’t think it’s a necessity to be able to master them all. Knowledge is power, so know your talent and trade, and you’ll be great at what you do.

What advice would you give to young DJs and producers trying to make their mark in such a competitive landscape?

It’s a difficult field to be in now, as everyone seems to want to be a DJ/producer. So it’s harder to break through. However, truly love what you do! Know that you may not make money or have success, and be okay with that. It’s difficult to think like that, as social media and the press make it out that to be successful, you have to have (said with sarcasm and truth) a private jet, your own night at a major club in Ibiza, limousines, hit music, or a million followers on social media platforms.

But imagine if you didn’t have any of these things. Would you still want to do it? Would you still be happy? It’s an important question to ask yourself and your ego before moving on.

Looking ahead, what’s next for Ovum and your career? Can we expect more new releases, collaborations, or perhaps something unexpected in the near future?

We’re plugging away with Ovum and hopefully releasing these new artists I’ve mentioned earlier. We’re going to release a Josh Wink LP project comprised of songs we’ve released already this year, rounded out with a couple of new goodies. It will be epic and fun!

I’ve completed and am currently working on a couple of collaboration projects with other artists (colleagues), too, which we hope to release on Ovum. I also have an ambient project that I have been collecting and composing over the past decade, and I am thinking about releasing it on Ovum. So yes, we have a lot on our plate, which we look forward to sharing with the world!

Thank you so much for your time, and congrats on 30 years of Ovum!

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