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Photo: Georgia Wallace

We can be suckers for vocal tone, and if you are too then Winifred’s latest EP Carpet of Flowers will dose you in some wondrous harmonies, drape you in bright accents, and, in short, build good vibes for the summer. Wanting to know more about this emerging talent, we asked the chanteuse herself to take us behind the curtain of her latest EP Carpet of Flowers to life. Read more below to step into this lush sonic garden in full bloom.

"Carpet of Flowers"

I wrote this song in London with Tutara Peak. It was May 2023 and we were in the silver room at Rex Studio. I was on a UK writing trip at the time and the morning of my session I was walking around Islington listening to a book of poetry, it had all of this symbolism, relating the human condition to the beauty and frailty of nature. It inspired the concept for "Carpet of Flowers." 

As we were writing I could feel the production and lyrics capturing my imagination and embodying my senses. “I want to sink into something fragrant and sweet, I want a love like a carpet of flowers under my feet.” 

It has this ethereal quality that touches on the intangible but the choruses have this grimy, gritty sparkle. 

"Carpet Of Flowers" is about asking myself the same questions over and over and never rising above the state of being constantly perplexed and wanting. 

The verses and pre-chorus explore the repetitive nature of being stuck in that place. “Strange sense of repetition distorting my vision.” 

While the chorus lifts off into a euphoric place of crystal clarity/self-assurance. Knowing the path and immersing myself in the confidence that comes with new understanding. 

I see "Carpet Of Flowers" like a journey, almost like a written/visual allegory. Where the verses and pre-chorus represent the low places and the chorus’ represent the high places. 

Verse one and verse two somewhat bookend each other conceptually. Verse one is more about confrontational introspection, sudden self-awareness, “oh for so long I was so wrong.” While verse two is about elevation, defined desire, and realization, “all of my life you were so right.” 

"Fixed On You"

"Fixed On You" was written in Melbourne with Alice Ivy. This was the most effortless song to write on the whole EP. "Fixed On You" has this dreamy/dance/hypnotic essence that I’ve noticed really resonates with live audiences. I think the appeal of "Fixed On You" lies in its simplicity. She’s flirtatious and feel-good.  

"Blue Fire" 

I wrote "Blue Fire" as a reflection on desire and self-awareness. It began with me recording top-line and chord ideas in my home studio in Townsville and came full circle down in Melbourne with Jackson McRae. Prod-wise I stuck to the ‘less is more’ approach for this track which would usually be a challenge for me as I’m generally more of a maximalist. Sometimes I wrestle with the temptation to overdo a good thing. But I’m glad I didn’t in this case. I love exploring the dissonance of ethereal prod and vocal elements against breakbeats. 

I’ve been spending a fair amount of time writing music in the UK over the last year, immersing myself in it as much as possible. I think some subtle UK d'n'b influences may have snuck their way into "Blue Fire."

That being said, I wrote "Blue Fire" last year in Melbourne on a writing trip. I’m originally from Townsville North Queensland but lived in Melbourne for nine years. Coming back to Melbourne and writing "Blue Fire" reminded me of the detachment and high-speed bustle of living in a big city. It’s a hefty adjustment having grown up in a regional city. I wrote "Blue Fire" from the POV of being stationary while everything moves around me at double speed. I think "Blue Fire" has a blurred long exposure feel to it, like a self-assured sense of displacement. 

"Want it Bad" 

"Want It Bad" is a part-satirical, part-serious jab at the music biz. I wrote it at a time when the industry, to me, felt like one big rat race. "Want It Bad" comes from the POV of an artist on the outer edges looking in and asking themselves, "Is this it?." I was feeling disenchanted and torn between my love of music and having to work in an industry that feels self-serving and transactional. I was almost embarrassed by it. I was looking around me at all these hungry artists with the same ambitions and passion as me and thinking, "It’s no secret how badly you all want this," which made me ask myself, "How badly do I even want this, and what is it exactly that I’m chasing?" 

"You Know How It Ends"

Track five and aptly titled. "You Know How It Ends" is about foreseeing the end of a long-term and long-distance relationship. It’s a very raw and emotional track. The first lyric “Is love enough?” sums it up in a nutshell. 

As I grew in the relationship, I realised our goals and values were too different to reconcile. But it can sometimes take a while before you’re ready to face the truth. 

Romantically put, it’s about taking temporary shelter from the inevitable. "You know how it ends, the future can wait, tonight I’m here with you." 

Put honestly, it’s about being afraid to let go of that source of comfort and security despite all of the signs.