Townsville-based artist Winifred creates alternative pop with a quirky edge.
After releasing a trio of singles last year – 'Chain', 'Into The Night' and 'Drowning Purple' (which was featured in the 2021 series of 'Love Island UK') – the singer-songwriter and dancer has today released her debut EP titled 'EP 1', which includes lead single 'On Yr Time'."I wrote this single whilst on a writing trip in LA," Winifred says.
"'On Yr Time' is about being an observer of someone using their strengths to control and manipulate people around them, and the frustration of feeling as though you're the only one who sees it for what it is.
"It's a cheeky little pop song with serious undertones. The dynamics of being in the same world as someone like that can sometimes bamboozle and disorientate, but ultimately it's about distancing yourself in order to be on your own time, not someone else's."
Alongside 'On Yr Time' as well as 'Into The Night' and 'Drowning Purple', 'EP 1' features two additional cuts: 'Got Me Wrong' and 'Fallen'.
Winifred collaborated with a number of Australian producers (One Above, Chí and Cheekbone) for this project as well as travelling to Los Angeles to work with Grammy-nominated producer David Ott ('On Yr Time') and Tim Anderson ('Fallen') best-known for his production work for Solange, Halsey, Billie Eilish and Banks.
The offical music video for 'On Yr Time' was directed by renowned Australian creative and choreographer Zoee Marsh.
"Zoee has been my long-standing visual co-pilot and movement coach," Winifred says. "All of the Winifred music videos are highly expressive and dance oriented.
"We shot this one in Brisbane, cutting between carpark rooftops, Mad Dance House Studios and the city streets.
"This video was executed with an earthy, free-form approach so it captures another side to Winifred, striking an even balance between playful, abandoned and serious.
"Half of the video was shot on a Panasonic handi-cam and the other half was shot with a professional crew and cameras to help capture the light and shade of 'On Yr Time', with its dead-pan lyrical undertones packaged in a feel-good brightly coloured box."
Here, Winifred shares a few of her favourite music videos that featuring a whole lotta dancing.
Rihanna & Donald Glover - 'Guava Island / Summertime Magic'
Ahh, this one is straight-up adorable. Always makes me smile. I big-time vibe Childish Gambino's movement here. I dunno why, but it melts my heart. It's so dorky and loveable but also totally cheeky and confident.Grimes & i_o - 'Violence'
This video is actually what got me passionate about the idea of making Winifred a dance-oriented music project. It sparked in me a desire to dance with backing dancers!I got so obsessed with this video that I researched choreographer Natsuki Miya and watched all of the BTS videos and choreography tutorials. I even taught myself the choreography one day in my lounge room.
@winifred_music Is this how you Tik Tok?#grimes #violence ♬ Violence - Original Mix - Grimes & i_o
Kate Bush - 'Wuthering Heights'
Big Kate Bush fan here. I love her theatrics and freedom of movement. She is so wild and experimental.Caroline Polachek - 'So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings'
I love how effortless Caroline comes across in this one. So much natural quirk. I think it's so cool that she choreographed this one herself, it's perfectly tailored to her personality and the song.Lorn - 'Acid Rain'
There is something so major about this video. I was introduced to this one by Gabrielle Pearson, the MV director for one of my 2021 singles 'Into The Night'. She sent me this as a reference for the choreography.Everything about this video feels so boss; my favourite part is when they all go into the Flying V formation for the final dance sequence.
