Get inspired and be inspiring. Two simple pillars, but two strong motivations for Josh Wink as he continues to write new chapters in a story that started in the eighties and is still a long way from the end. Though he has many seminal tracks to his name, they are moments in the past. His music these days is just as inquisitive and innovative, just as hard to define, just as outside traditional house and techno boundaries as it always was. As his Ovum label turns 30 and he continues to DJ around the world, the philosophical Philly native has mastered the art of evolving while never losing sight of the sound that made him so influential in the first place.
A new Josh Wink record is as unpredictable as ever, whether that’s a cultured deep house record on Freerange Records, drenched in machine soul, an eight-minute acid-laced techno thumper on Drumcode or a sophisticated melodic mind-melter on Rekids. Then there is ‘A Tension Attention’ which arrived on Ovum and is a more stripped-back and minimal sound with a lineage that traces back to his earliest work. It shows Wink learns from the past and moves forward, constantly building on what he already knows.
The American who was once a mobile birthday and wedding DJ is now known for both his music as an artist, and as a DJ performing unforgettable sets at the world’s best clubs and festivals. He has a unique style that was formed on the streets of Philly, a place known in the eighties for some of the world’s most pioneering DJ technicians. At the heart of the art is a will to entertain – to enthuse, excite and energize a crowd with how records are played, not just what music is selected. Later came the confidence to educate and serve up sonic parallels across different generations and genres. Since then Wink has always played across the board so working out what comes from the oldest parts of his collection and what is a brand new gem is all but impossible. It’s that which keeps both long-time fans and new school enthusiasts locked into his sounds – the promise of something new, even if it’s old.
Searching out these sounds and inspirations excites Wink as much now as ever. He still spends countless hours dialing and digging into all sorts of musical sources be it internet radio stations, new music playlists, online or physical record stores, or the endless stream of demos. That process is as much a part of his life as running, working out, and parenthood, all of which keep him balanced mentally and physically, give him perspective, and allow the creativity to flow once he’s back in the studio. But don’t try and guess what might come next because even those familiar with his work are surprised when they dig deep and find countless remixes of acts such as Depeche Mode, Radiohead and Moby, collabs with Maceo Plex, Jason’s Optical Stairway and Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails), solo tracks on labels as diverse as R&S, M_nus and Boysnoize or a current band project; Like Water, Like Wind.
There is a world of people who have been touched by the indelible nature of Wink’s music over the years – memories made while dancing to his tunes, loved ones met, and friendships formed. Hearing those stories continues to be his motivation to produce more of these musical moments that become such poignant markers in people’s lives and have inspired him to take on the role of mentoring – and in turn, learning from – young producers. Even if no one was listening he would continue to make music because the craft in itself brings him such joy. “If I can’t do it my way, I don’t want to do it,” he says, but fortunately for him, new generations always find their way to his music. For that reason, his story continues to be written on his own terms.
This month, his record label, Ovum, celebrated 30 years and the artist dropped a 2 track, cinematic deep space EP, ‘Progression,’ to commemorate the occasion.
Now, we welcome the visionary and veteran to our Main Mix series with a masterclass in rhythm and groove, where he lets his eclectic expertise shine, and proves exactly why he remains a force to be reckoned with. Enjoy!
Josh Wink: Facebook // SoundCloud