Winston Giles
Encyclopedia
Winston Giles is an Australian musician (singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer). He has released many albums under different monikers including Atari Baby, Floor 13, Winston Giles and is best known for his group The Winston Giles Orchestra
, The Velvet Underground
and The Cure
he spent most of his teens writing recording and performing.
He eventually formed FLOOR 13, an art punk rock band and released an EP titled "the world", that received much airplay on Australia's radio stations. Floor 13 would tour extensively throughout Australia before Giles at the age of 18 took the band to the United States, residing there for 8 years touring and recording. Floor 13, with a new American line-up, was based primarily in Dallas Texas where the band recorded several EP's and by the late 1990s had gained notoriety amongst the scene in "Deep Ellum".
Winston eventually returned and immersed himself in Australia's emerging dance music scene in 2000, working with many local D.J’s and producers and culminating in a project called – Atari Baby – releasing an album and many singles, remixes and videos under the moniker. This faster and harder sound featured elements of trance, big-beat, house and electro, whilst maintaining a dark and dirty feel to the music.
In early 2004 Winston met local producer C.j. Dolan, who was behind techno outfit – Quench. Winston had been writing new material in search of a new sound and at the beginning of winter 2004, the pair began recording and mixing the Winston Giles Orchestra debut album – Soundtracks for Sunrise Giles followed this release with the second album – A Magnificent Beautiful Day in 2006. The project grew from shows in Melbourne and Sydney's underground venue's such as 161 and Revolver to bigger stages at esteemed music festivals, such as Kiss My Grass festival. The albums received much critical acclaim. College radio embraced the albums in the United States as did the UK's BBC radio one. The band has toured extensively across Australia, the United Kingdom and The USA.
The Winston Giles Orchestra live show comprises Winston Giles (Vocals / Guitars / Piano /beats / samples), Dorian West (Trumpet/ Flugal Horn / Keyboards ). They also have musicians, who work with the band on a recurring basis. Although The Winston Giles Orchestra take an indie rock/post-punk approach to the music, the band is known for their lush, multi-layered, psychedelic arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song and album titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows featuring theatrics, video projections, complex stage light configurations, acrobatic hula-hoop dancers and stage performers.
Music Videos for The Winston Giles Orchestra include the clip to "Welcome to the Hotel" filmed at the famous Chelsea Hotel in New York.
In October 2008 Giles released "LOVERS" a new album released under his name, not the Orchestra. The album is another departure, more of an upbeat underground New York Sounding album. “LOVERS” has a brooding sexy feel, laced with an indie disco edge. Giles wears his musical influences on his sleeve, taking many of his cues from classic and contemporary artists like: LCD Soundsystem
, Pink Floyd
, Duran Duran
, David Bowie
and Hot Chip
.
The album was produced by Giles and Don Nadi, and was nearly two years in the making, completed in September 2008.
guitars, primarily a SG
60's reissue standard with a Bigsby tremolo. Other times he uses a Gibson Dot Studio ES-335
, a white Gibson Flying V
and an alpine white Gibson EDS-1275
with golden hardware. For the recording of the Video "Welcome to the Hotel" shot at Hotel Chelsea in New York City he used a borrowed Gibson ES-355 through a 60's Marshall. When playing live, he uses Orange
amplifiers and cabinets, lately seen in an Orange advertisement with an Orange AD30 and Thunderverb 200 and PCC412 cabinets.
Gilse also states to use a Fender Stratocaster
, though he prefers the Gibson
guitars.
Biography
Winston Giles was born in Melbourne, Australia. His musical aspirations began as a young teenager when he took up guitar and piano, and his first bands included his brother on drums. Inspired by bands such as The CultThe Cult
The Cult are a British rock band that was formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in Britain in the mid 1980s as a post-punk band with singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary", before breaking mainstream in the United States in the late 1980s as a hard rock band with singles such as "Love...
, The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
and The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
he spent most of his teens writing recording and performing.
He eventually formed FLOOR 13, an art punk rock band and released an EP titled "the world", that received much airplay on Australia's radio stations. Floor 13 would tour extensively throughout Australia before Giles at the age of 18 took the band to the United States, residing there for 8 years touring and recording. Floor 13, with a new American line-up, was based primarily in Dallas Texas where the band recorded several EP's and by the late 1990s had gained notoriety amongst the scene in "Deep Ellum".
Winston eventually returned and immersed himself in Australia's emerging dance music scene in 2000, working with many local D.J’s and producers and culminating in a project called – Atari Baby – releasing an album and many singles, remixes and videos under the moniker. This faster and harder sound featured elements of trance, big-beat, house and electro, whilst maintaining a dark and dirty feel to the music.
In early 2004 Winston met local producer C.j. Dolan, who was behind techno outfit – Quench. Winston had been writing new material in search of a new sound and at the beginning of winter 2004, the pair began recording and mixing the Winston Giles Orchestra debut album – Soundtracks for Sunrise Giles followed this release with the second album – A Magnificent Beautiful Day in 2006. The project grew from shows in Melbourne and Sydney's underground venue's such as 161 and Revolver to bigger stages at esteemed music festivals, such as Kiss My Grass festival. The albums received much critical acclaim. College radio embraced the albums in the United States as did the UK's BBC radio one. The band has toured extensively across Australia, the United Kingdom and The USA.
The Winston Giles Orchestra live show comprises Winston Giles (Vocals / Guitars / Piano /beats / samples), Dorian West (Trumpet/ Flugal Horn / Keyboards ). They also have musicians, who work with the band on a recurring basis. Although The Winston Giles Orchestra take an indie rock/post-punk approach to the music, the band is known for their lush, multi-layered, psychedelic arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song and album titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows featuring theatrics, video projections, complex stage light configurations, acrobatic hula-hoop dancers and stage performers.
Music Videos for The Winston Giles Orchestra include the clip to "Welcome to the Hotel" filmed at the famous Chelsea Hotel in New York.
In October 2008 Giles released "LOVERS" a new album released under his name, not the Orchestra. The album is another departure, more of an upbeat underground New York Sounding album. “LOVERS” has a brooding sexy feel, laced with an indie disco edge. Giles wears his musical influences on his sleeve, taking many of his cues from classic and contemporary artists like: LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem was a prominent American dance-punk band from New York City. It was fronted by American singer-songwriter and producer James Murphy, co-founder of record label DFA Records...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and Hot Chip
Hot Chip
Hot Chip are an English electronic indie band. They have released four studio albums—Coming on Strong, The Warning, Made in the Dark and One Life Stand.-Formation:...
.
The album was produced by Giles and Don Nadi, and was nearly two years in the making, completed in September 2008.
Music videos
- "A little song" by The Winston Giles Orchestra
- "Welcome to the hotel" by The Winston Giles Orchestra
- "Los Angeles" by Atari Baby (Winston Giles)
- "I got your love" by Winston Giles
External links
Official sites- Winston Giles Official Website
- Winston Giles Orchestra Official Website
- Winston Giles Orchestra Official Myspace
Equipment
As the lead guitarist of Winston Giles Orchestra, Giles plays GibsonGibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
guitars, primarily a SG
Gibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
60's reissue standard with a Bigsby tremolo. Other times he uses a Gibson Dot Studio ES-335
Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
, a white Gibson Flying V
Gibson Flying V
-External links:*, , , , and , from the Gibson website*, a June 2001 article from Guitar Collector magazine*, a tribute site that lists all models and re-issues and most notable players**...
and an alpine white Gibson EDS-1275
Gibson EDS-1275
The Gibson EDS-1275 is a doubleneck Gibson electric guitar introduced in 1963 and still in production. Popularized by both rock and jazz musicians such as Jimmy Page and John McLaughlin, it was called "the coolest guitar in rock."-History:...
with golden hardware. For the recording of the Video "Welcome to the Hotel" shot at Hotel Chelsea in New York City he used a borrowed Gibson ES-355 through a 60's Marshall. When playing live, he uses Orange
Orange Amplification
Orange Music Electronic Company is a British electric guitar and public address amplifier manufacturing company, famous for its distinctive sound and bright orange Tolex-like covering on amplifier heads and speaker cabinets...
amplifiers and cabinets, lately seen in an Orange advertisement with an Orange AD30 and Thunderverb 200 and PCC412 cabinets.
Gilse also states to use a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
, though he prefers the Gibson
Gibson
Gibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
guitars.