The Australian musician talks childhood in Sydney, the success of Jagwar Ma and his latest project Golf Alpha Bravo.
Gabriel Winterfield rose to international prominence for his role leading the spacious and immersive, house-inflected mantras of Jagwar Ma. Over the course of eight years and two acclaimed full-length albums the band have stirred music venues and crowds across the world through their expertly curated brand of downtempo, hedonistic groove, forging an indelible imprint and garnering endorsements from the likes of Foals, KEXP and Worthy Farm’s infamous Glastonbury Festival.
Now dividing his time between Sydney and Los Angeles as Jagwar Ma lays in a period of dormancy, Winterfield has turned his reverb-laden guitar licks and soulful vocals to a new solo project that evokes sun-kissed imagery reminiscent of his coastal Australian homeland.
Surrounding the release of his new single ‘Mo Clouds’ we spoke with the musician about childhood, his experiences with Jagwar Ma and the materialisation of Golf Alpha Bravo.
How has life been treating you and what’s new?
It would appear life is challenging all of us at the moment. I’m grateful I have a cave and a fire to bunker in. I worry about those who don’t. More especially I worry about all of our grandparents.
Stuff is coming, and I’m cooking in the studio. And the kitchen.
To start from the beginning what are your earliest memories of music and when did your initial interest in playing an instrument begin?
I started to play trumpet when I was 9, I can’t pinpoint a time where I didn’t love sounds that I heard. I feel lucky that I had the peace to play away and be left alone. After a while I picked up the guitar, and it just seemed somehow more relevant, and then I guess I got the courage to sing after that… I didn’t really sing til I was about 14.
Were there any particular artists that made you gravitate toward the guitar and if so, do those same people inform your playing today?
I guess if you love the way people play it’s natural to want to mimic, but eventually you have to let go and dance to the beat of your own drum, just gotta hope you can keep in time with yourself. I feel like it won’t sound like its coming from my heart if I can’t look in the mirror or the speakers and see myself staring back. I don’t really try to think too much about it.
Growing up and developing your creative abilities in Sydney, Australia, what were your experiences of the city’s music scene?
I remember just being hungry to do more, socially cautious but inevitably sometimes letting myself get carried away. Sydney is a vibe, but I really cut my teeth properly outside of it.
Writing and performing with Jagwar Ma has led you to travel the world whilst sharing stages with the likes of Tame Impala and Foals and accruing notable acclaim for your two full-length albums. What are the most important life lessons that you have learnt through your time and successes with the band?
Eden Ahbez’s song ‘Nature Boy’ says it all, “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return“. But I think I learnt that sitting at home.
In the time surrounding the release of Jagwar Ma’s debut album Howlin’ you relocated to London. What drew you to England’s capital city and did your experiences here impact your creativity?
London is an amazing city, there are some big hitters in London. I think that year we had a big UK summer tour planned, and well much to the sadness of my family I didn’t come back for a while. It definitely had an impact, the sonic palette of London couldn’t be more different.
Is London still the place that you currently call home?
Not anymore. I needed a little more sunshine, but I love London and I miss it!
You’ve previously discussed your experiences of living in the French countryside whilst recording sessions for Howlin’ took place. Do you find that you feel more at one with the pace of a bustling metropolis or the seclusion of natural surroundings?
I love the sounds of the country but I think a balance is the best. Soak up what you can. I think engagement in the country, and raise the drawbridge in the city. Only let the vibey people trickle in.
How and when did your latest project Golf Alpha Bravo materialise?
I started getting it together towards the end of 2018. I just wanted to do something that felt primal and sunbleached. It started as a dream, maybe I was just homesick.
How would you describe your music as Golf Alpha Bravo to those unfamiliar?
I think of it as “Surf Blues“.
Were there any particular influences – musical or otherwise – that were in your consciousness when conceiving the basis for the project?
I knew more so of what I wanted things not to be. If you’re interested in hearing music that really floors me have a listen to all of these people:
Eden Ahbez, Nat King Cole, Lonnie Johnson, Dick Dale, Albert King, Sun Records era Elvis, Chet Atkins, Moondog, John Lee Hooker, Nina Simone and Jimi Hendrix.
What does the writing process for a song typically look like for you right now? Are there guidelines that you follow or do each of your ideas formulate differently?
It really just depends but I still don’t really know how it works. I don’t really have any guidelines, but… If you can afford to get your hands on an iPhone or have one already, voice memos is worth it. Set up a room properly and you can record with it.
In Golf Alpha Bravo’s relatively short lifespan you’ve already accompanied Greta Van Fleet on an Australian tour and performed your live set internationally, touching base in London, Paris, Manchester and LA. What lies ahead through the remainder of 2020? Are you busy working on a full-length project?
New record’s coming soon, and might play a few shows too if we can. Fingers crossed.
Finally, who is currently in your listening rotation and what musical releases are you excited about, or perhaps hoping for this year?
Leonard Simpson Duo is a cool record. Allah Lahs’ record. I really liked Lana Del Rey‘s recent rekkid too.
I’m looking forward to the Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ new record! John Frusciante is back in the band and is one of my favourite guitarists. Flea is a fellow Australian. They’ve fascinated me since I was 5 years old.
JD Beck and Domi’s record, I gotta give them props man, they can play. And lastly my own. 😉
Stream Golf Alpha Bravo on Spotify and stay up to date with the project’s new releases and tour schedule through Facebook and Instagram.
Words by Sam Wilkinson.
Like this article? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more.
Fruit and Grooves Collective 