Winston Surfshirt

• From: Sydney, Australia
• Related Artists: Anderson .Paak, A Tribe Called Quest, Hiatus Kaiyote

This six-piece collective out of Sydney coolly blends elements of funk, hip-hop, soul, and jazz, resulting in a unique, effortlessly danceable sound. Difficult to compare to many other modern bands other than Anderson .Paak, Winston Surfshirt drives in their own retro lane. "It’s like A Tribe Called Quest splitting spliffs with your parents’ favourite band. There’s a bit of soul, a bit of hip-hop, and ‘Beatlesy’ songwriting behind it,” they describe quite on the nose. The frontman chose their self-acknowledged humorous band name in honor of their greatest influence, John Winston Lennon.
Forming in 2015, by the next year, Winston Surfshirt received recognition from Majestic Casual and Triple J for their lead's guest vocals on Polographia's 2016 "Sly." The band began releasing singles "Be About You," "Ali D," and "Same Same" in 2017 in advance of their debut album Sponge Cake. Earning praise from legend Elton John and embarking on their first regional tour soon after, Winston Surfshirt are on their way up and out from the Down Under.