Introducing WINIFRED, who makes a grand arrival with Chain

Header image by Metaxia Coustas.

Over the past twelve months or so, we've felt an increased effect of long-time songwriters launching their own projects (or, conversely, finding a similar amount of international recognition as the artists they're often writing behind), whether it be big-time internationals like Sasha Sloan and Julia Michaels, or acts like Taka Perry back home - quickly paving their own paths after helping others pave theirs.

WINIFRED, a Melbourne-based musician emerging today with her debut single Chain, is in a similar boat. Over the last little while, she's become an emerging songwriter from the Victorian capital working with some of the country's most exciting names, co-writing Alice Ivy's Ecca Vandal-assisted On My Mind for example, before becoming the inaugural local signing to global mega-label eOne Music Australia, releasing her debut solo single Chain underneath the label at the tail-end of last week.

Chain is a burst out of the gates moment for WINIFRED who, without any released work behind her thus far, is now on a mission to introduce herself and her sounds - and that she does. It's a twisting, alt-R&B tune thick with a haunting vocal presence and production precision that really feels like a new boundary being made for local R&B and pop music, taking what you'd expect from some of the global R&B heavyweights and twisting it with an Australian shine that sets it apart from the rest.

"Chain is about that feeling like you’re bound by memories, haunted by someone as if they were a physical chain around your neck," she says on the single and it's something you can feel in her vocals. There's a sense of longing almost, like she's trying to pull herself away from what she's singing about but is unable to; constantly feeling like she's chained - as the song title suggests - to the force. "But it's also about piercing through that veil, that distorts your vision and plays tricks on your mind."

Introduce yourself to the star-on-the-rise below, and dive into Chain while you're at it:

Tell us about yourself?

Hi, I’m Winifred! I’m an artist from Melbourne. I’ve been working on this project for a little while now and I’m very excited to finally start sharing music with everyone.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

Alt-pop R&B with an emphasis on sound design production.

What are your production and writing processes like?

Aside from a few unreleased songs that I wrote and recorded in my apartment, I’ve been lucky to travel to LA, London and Berlin working with some of my favourite creatives to help bring my musical ideas to life. It’s been exhilarating, sometimes challenging, but ultimately inspiring, collaborative and deeply rewarding.

Can you tell us about your new single, Chain?

I wrote Chain in London on a cold winter’s day with a UK producer by the name of Tim Gordine. Chain is about that feeling like you’re bound by memories, haunted by someone as if they were a physical chain around your neck. But it’s also about piercing through that veil that distorts your vision and plays tricks on your mind.

In essence, confronting and reclaiming.

Any tour dates coming up?

I’m currently working on my live show with Melbourne artist Yeo, I’m itching to start sharing everything I’ve been working on in a live capacity. It’s feeling really good so far, hopefully I’ll have updates on that very soon.

What does the rest of 2019 – and beyond - have in store for you?

Well, I’m releasing a live performance video of Chain soon. I also have another single in the pipeline for early next year!

Where can we find more of your music?

Chain is my debut release so watch this space!

Follow WINIFRED: FACEBOOK