TULUM, 13 Dec
Josh Wink 'Nerf Herder' on Ovum Recordings
Ovum Recordings introduced the release in its own words: "With a title inspired by Princess Leias immortal clapback to Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back, and a creation that occurred during parent downtime at a Nerf tournament, Nerf Herder is Josh Wink in a playful mood." It's filed as Progressive House and was released 11 October, running at 126 BPM.
John Digweed placed the track 15th of 15 in his 'John Digweed -Musica del Futuro Chart' on 12 December, the last spot on the list.
Josh Wink has released 33 records since 26 February 1995, mostly on Bedrock Records, eight, with six on Nervous Records and two apiece on Break New Soil Recordings and Natura Viva Black; the most recent before this was 'Zoo Comunale 6' on Natura Viva, 23 September.
The mix splits evenly between percussion and harmony, many hits to the beat sitting loud and tight against the peaks. A top end with plenty of air gives the track an open, breathing finish.
The label said
Ovum Recordings, Bandcamp about text · sourceWith a title inspired by Princess Leias immortal clapback to Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back, and a creation that occurred during parent downtime at a Nerf tournament, Nerf Herder is Josh Wink in a playful mood, perfectly timed for his annual Hallowink festivities later this month date?. Nerf Herder takes its sonic cues in part from 90s progressive house - driving and expansive, it slaps as hard as Leias words and follows on from recent singles The Deepness and Progression where Wink explores the more emotional/ melodic aspects of his creative palette. Big tune from one of the greatest to do it!
Josh Wink
says:
Nerf Herder is a reference in the Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back where Leia insults Han by calling him a stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder. But that wasnt the reason I named this track Nerf Herder. I was waiting for my son at a Nerf event in Philadelphia, while he and other participants were in the laser tag-like arena, I was composing music on my laptop in an empty room at the community center where it took place. So instead of the track name being the date of when I made it, or something else, this one came to mind and stuck (with a slight nod to Star Wars, Han and Leia too).
Two years ago was a period of time musically, where I delved into emotional and melodic techno/house compositions (Iz, The Deepness and Progression) that are slightly influenced by the 90s progressive sound, yet still have the signature Josh Wink quality to the production. I am excited to slow things down, expressing the deeper, and more emotive side of me, rather than the techno sound most people know me for..
An artist and DJ who barely needs introduction, Josh Wink has been gloriously disrupting electronic dance music with a DIY and post-punk energy since the 90s. Amongst a huge arsenal of profound releases - his seminal breakout hit Higher State of Consciousness, highlighted as one of Rolling Stones Greatest Dance Songs Of All Time in 2022. In 1995 the single was unleashed on the world and was immediately embraced by everyone from Gilles Peterson to Carl Cox. The definitive track continues to be rediscovered and adored by every new wave of DJ, raver and electronic enthusiast since its original release 29 years ago. His Ovum imprint is a continuation of this boundary-pushing attitude, with more than 400 releases, over 130 associated artists and countless chart-topping tracks in its 30 years. Born in Joshs native Philly in 1994, Ovum is as DIY and independently-minded now as it ever was, with label and founder having plenty up their sleeve to surprise and delight in 2024 and well and beyond.