The Winter

An improvised music trio of Mike Kingston, Dave Edwards, and Simon Sweetman; based in Wellington NZ, active between 2003-2015.

“A strange sonic brew that includes dissonant rock textures, rough outsider folk-blues mysteries, electric and acoustic improvisations and a considerable part of tasty feedback. Imagine equal parts Derek Bailey, New Zealand’s Pumice and classic ’60s blues/folk and you’re in the right ballpark.” – The Broken Face

Listen

The Shortest Days: 2003-2015 compilation gives an overview of the band’s career.

In contrast to the noise/drone and free-jazz approaches of most Wellington free improvisation, The Winter played both acoustic and electric improvisations that came from more of an outsider-folk angle.

The pieces swerve from abstract dissonance to catchy grooves, with hints of Celtic, Balkan, Asian and Latin influences – played on an array of different instruments, including guitars, cello, banjo, charango, clarinet, piano, saxophone, harmonica, electronics, and Simon‘s distinctive homemade ‘pots & pans’ percussion.

Background

Dave discussed the band in the Radio Dolby 89.6FM interview:

Formed in Wellington NZ on winter solstice day, in June 2003 (the name stuck), The Winter is/was our longest running side-project (but on hiatus since 2015).

Wellington, New Zealand

Tracklist

The Shortest Days: 2003-2015 compilation has excerpts from each of our albums;

1.	Parataxes 1 & 2 01:38
2.	Parataxes 3 (acoustic) (live at Photospace, 2003) 03:01
3.	Parataxes 9 (electric) (live at the Southern Cross, 2003) 04:13
4.	O Henry Ending (live at Photospace, 2003) 03:50
5.	Northland #1 (bonus) 03:26
6.	Swansong (for the huia) 02:13
7.	BBQ Reggae? (live at Fred’s, 2010) (bonus) 06:17
8.	Newtown #4 03:11
9.	six six ten #2 05:18
10.	Fred’s Exit (live at Fred’s, 2010) 04:57
11.	2011 #1 03:43
12.	Snowing in Brooklyn 01:50
13.	Flying Visit (Tokyo to Perth, 2012) 02:42
14.	Aro Valley #6 (bonus) 02:37
15.	Kilbirnie #3 03:15
16.	Untitled (live at the Pyramid Club, 2015) 03:49
17.	Exeunt 01:20