Naarm/Melbourne songwriter, Winter McQuinn explores country and folk, imbued by psychedelia. UK’s Shindig Magazine best-described McQuinn’s music as “pollinated with dashes of 21st Century environmentalism and political awareness.” His music ripples with free-ness similar to revered 1960s/70s artists such as Nick Drake and Syd Barrett, and contemporary artists such as Kate Bollinger, Tex Crick and Alex Izenberg. Known as the frontman of psychedelic pop group, Sunfruits and drummer of jade imagine, McQuinn’s 2021 debut album ‘A Rabble Of Bees’ marked the beginning of his solo wanderings into psychedelic outsider pop. His 2024 sophomore album ‘Move To The Trees’ (featured in Rolling Stone AU and KEXP’s ‘Best Of’ lists for 2024), saw McQuinn honing his craft with a series of anthems for the future, settled in post-psych folk and 70s soft rock energy. McQuinn most recently released a co-written EP ‘Recently I’ve Been Missing The Colour Green’ with Acacia Pip (Pinch Points) which was described as “collection of 6 pastoral, slacker folk gems” by Shindig Magazine (UK), and saw McQuinn support notable artists including Leah Senior, Bures Band, Nice Biscuit, Joe Ghatt (NZ) and tour Australia, Europe and the UK. McQuinn has also begun releasing music with a new duo project Beefheart and McQuinn with UK Artist Moby Beefheart (aka William Murray from outfit FUR).

Following recent single “Walkin’ Through That Door (feat. Feign Jima, Dylan Young)” which was playlisted on Double J, Rage, Spotify, 2Ser and featured on Rolling Stone (AU/NZ), The AU Review, New Commute (USA) and Raven Sings The Blues (USA), Naarm/Melbourne psychedelic folk rock artist Winter McQuinn delivers his second single “Always Looking (feat. Dylan Young, Hot Apple Band)” from his upcoming collaborative record, Where Are We Now? — set for release on September 19th via Third Eye Stimuli Records and Born Losers in North America.

Background

Over the past five years, he has immersed himself in music as a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and drummer for bands such as Sunfruits, jade imagine, Ruby Gill, playing at prestigious festivals and venues across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and UK. These festivals and venues include Bigsound, Manchester Psych Festival (UK), Misty Fields (NL), The Forum, The Enmore and others. Notably, in 2023, his band Sunfruits garnered critical acclaim for their debut album, "One Degree." which saw positive reviews in The Guardian, Rolling Stone AU, NME Australia and other high level reviewers.

Winter’s solo career began in 2021 with the debut solo album "A Rabble of Bees" released with Third Eye Stimuli Records and second solo album, "Move To The Trees," on April 5, 2024 via Third Eye Stimuli Records and Echodelick Records (US).

The releases from this 2024 album have received widespread airplay and support across Australia, Europe and the US including KEXP, 3RRR, 4ZZZ, 2SER, PBS, ABC, JJ, JJJ and has been described as “McQuinn’s most sonically sophisticated work to date” by New Commute (US). Rolling Stone Australia noted Winter as best Australian music of the week in March 2024. The album earned critical acclaim and support including 3RRR, PBS, ABC Country and KEXP, landing on Rolling Stone's and KEXP’s Best Of 2024 lists. In addition in 2024 they have supported contemporaries including Leah Senior, Bures Band, Nice Biscuit, Joe Ghatt ( NZ) , Girlatones and others as a solo artist.

With an Honours degree from VCA in Interactive Composition he is an active part of the music and environmental community, co-founding Green Your Noise (a carbon calculator for musicians / creatives), and was a finalist for the Environmental Music Prize 2023. EcoAnthem Awards UK 2024 and the Upstart Award 2024.

He toured EU/UK with Acacia Pip in 2025, and recently released a single with Beefheart & McQuinn who have signed with HomeTown Talent Agency ( UK/EU).