Informed by years of playing in DIY punk bands, producing electronic music, writing music for independent films, and teaching kids to play rock music, Matt Ridgway, delved into a new collaborative studio project with Perth singer Jordy Hewitt in 2005. The result was Winterpark, a mix of emotive indie-pop-tronics and lush sonic ambience.
Winterpark’s debut release “One Night Alone†was well received by media, radio and audiences. Receiving airplay and interviews on FBI, RRR, RTR and Triple J.
“****[4 Stars] a wonderful blend of eclectic influences†Rolling Stone
“…this is very much an album of the imagination, to warm the heart†Time Off
“A delightful debut album offering from Winterpark†3D World
“…intimate and gorgeous moments on this album…†In The Mix
Throughout 2006 and 2007, The Winterpark live act evolved to become a sonic mashup of broken and glitchy beats juxtaposed by lush harmonies and indie guitar styling, With Jordy on Vocals and Keyboards, and Matt on live laptop loops and visuals, vocals and guitar.
Winter 2007 saw Winterpark’s music being used in the release of a Japanese feature film called ‘Academy’, and a NYC short film called ‘Centre of the Universe’.
Spring 2007 took Winterpark onto the world stage, with a tour that saw the band take their show to New York, London, Berlin, Prague, Paris, Tokyo, Helsinki and Reykjavik at Iceland’s Airwaves festival. The band also shot a clip for one of their soon to be released singles ‘Wall Kids’, which has already been played on radio as part of Triple J Unearthed.
December 2007, saw Winterpark become recipients of the Vic Rocks ‘Music Career Building’ grant, which is allowing them to record their second album with producer Casey Rice in February.
The first few months of 2008 will see Winterpark record their second album, and embark on a East Coast tour. Music from their debut album will appear on channel 9’s mini-series Underbelly, and the band will continue preparing for their next tour of Japan.
