Josh Wink

Josh Wink has always run ahead of the pack, as a DJ, label owner, producer, remixer, and artist. With the release of Profound Sounds Vol. 2, Wink continues to forge ahead, challenging established conventions of what a mix CD should be, not only by remaining true to his mercurial aesthetic as a DJ, but also taking advantage of technology to fine-tune his selections into the best possible recorded representation of Josh Wink.

In 1995, Wink became one of the first DJ-producers to translate his hard work into mainstream success, when he unleashed a string of classics, including “Don’t Laugh,” “I’m Ready,” and “Higher State of Consciousness,” that topped charts worldwide, and made him a bona fide pop star in Europe. On his 1998 album, HereHear, Wink pushed boundaries even further, inviting fellow artists as diverse as Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Caroline Crawley (Shelleyann Orphan/This Mortal Coil), and Philly poet-performer Ursula Rucker (Jazzanova, The Roots), to contribute to a far-reaching disc that ran the gamut of electronic music styles, from ambient and trip-hop to drum & bass, as well as the trademark mix of house and techno on which Wink has built his international reputation. Since the release of the first Profound Sounds compilation in 1999, Wink has been concentrating on various projects, including continuing to oversee operations of his Ovum Recordings record label.

Over the past year Josh has released another two dance floor anthems, “How’s your evening so far” and most recently “Superfreak”, both of which continue his tradition of making distinct music that catches people’s ears and inspires others to compose their own music. Although he used to bristle at requests to remix other artists ("because you sell the rights away, and don’t own them any more, even though the remix is basically all your own music), lately he’s grown to enjoy that gig more, turning out such notable overhauls as his recent reworking of “Blue Jeans” for Ladytron, Paul Oakenfold’s “Starry Eyed Surprise,” and Depeche Mode’s “Free Love.” Wink hopes to compile his favorite remix gems on a CD collection soon. He’s also working on some songs with fellow Philly denizen G. Love (as in, G. Love & Special Sauce), and hopefully further collaborations and production gigs with other like- and open-minded musicians.“I get bored if I do the same thing” Wink concludes. “Some people get pigeonholed as being into just one thing. I hate that. When there are rules, it doesn’t become art, and it’s not fun. I’ve learned that you can’t please everybody, so I’d rather be concerned with making good art, and the people that like this art will stick with you.” Profound Sounds Vol. 2 is classic Josh Wink. It dares to be different. It is good art. And, most importantly, it is great fun.