Mourning Routine

After turning heads with his collaborative project thredd—whose debut album ‘It’s Lovely, Come On In’ received widespread acclaim—Max Winter returns with his highly anticipated solo EP Mourning Routine. The first single ‘The Olympics’ is out now on independent label Secret Friend Records, accompanied by a limited run of vinyl. He also announces his headline show at Club Cheek, Brixton, October 29. 

Winter’s work blurs the boundaries between acoustic and electronic worlds, drawing from his background in classical and jazz composition while embracing alternative rock, experimental pop, and electronic textures. His creative process is deeply collaborative, bringing together longtime studio partners Will Lister and Imogen & The Knife, as well as fellow producer Melo-Zed, contributing to a record that is both intricate and accessible.

Mourning Routine explores themes of loss, transition, and renewal. Across its tracks, Winter reflects on endings—of relationships, routines, and phases of life—while embracing the possibilities that come with new beginnings. From the catchy strings of ‘The Olympics’ to the wind-swept intimacy of ‘Fresh Air’, the EP showcases his evolving approach to songwriting, combining lush instrumentation with modern production techniques.

A meticulous yet adventurous musician and Trinity Laban graduate, Winter has already distinguished himself with striking work: immersive scoring for Nike’s Olympics Kit Launch in Paris, a commission for the London Film Festival, and contributions to Alvaro Barrington’s Grace exhibition at Tate Britain. His music weaves together a wide array of influences—Mica Levi, Talk Talk, Joni Mitchell—refracted through a contemporary lens into a sound that is unmistakably his own. Beyond his solo work, he also performs as part of Nourished By Time’s live band.

Mourning Routine is a statement of artistic identity: introspective yet expansive, rooted in songcraft but reaching far beyond conventional genres. The EP signals a confident step forward for Winter as he continues to explore the intersection of classical composition and modern songwriting.