Charlie Winton, a native Northern Californian, has been playing music and writing songs for 50 years. The focus of Winton’s storied publishing career meant that his music was always something that he shared with just friends, but it was always a constant. As his publishing receded, Winton focused more energy on music and his song writing. By 2019 Winton had
a number of songs he felt strongly about and decided he should be recording to see how they would sound with more evolved instrumentation.

That summer Winton connected with the musician and producer Scott Mathews noted for his work with Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, the Durocs, Elvis Costello and Dave Edmonds. It was a great match, and they began recording at Mathews’ studio “Tiki Town” in the Fall of 2019. Those initial sessions resulted in Winton’s 1st album, Hold on Tight (2020) and were critical in helping forge a creative bond and an effective collaboration.

Winton reunited with Mathews again in the Summer of 2021 for a 2nd album The Soul and The Shadow (2022). In spring of 2023 Winton returned to Tiki Town with Mathews with 10 more original songs which became the 3rd album Eternal Light (2024). Rocking, soulful, and melodic, Winton’s first three albums of Winton’s are driven by his evocative vocals and Mathews’ brilliant arrangements.

In Spring of 2025 Winton was back with a set of songs reflecting the ways the mind consciously and/or subconsciously shapes memory, love, “old ghosts” and the passage of time. On Shadowland (May 2026) we opened up the sound, leaned into the voice, and tried to drive a smokey swampy, soulful vibe.

“I fell into this great thing with Scott that fit what I wanted to do, exactly how I wanted to do it. It was a perfect opportunity with no risk and a big reward.”

Photograph: © Pat Johnson