ABOUT SAILORS AND SIRENS (2023)
Get Lost in the Waves
Energetic alternative rock band WINTERSTATE have followed up their critically-acclaimed sophomore album Technicolor (2022) with a new five-song EP titled Sailors and Sirens. The new recordings were released along with several music videos on February 18th, 2023.
From heavy-hitting hard rock tracks like "Superhuman" to soothing ballads like "Red Skies", Sailors and Sirens has something for everyone.
"Larger-than-life production and crisp arrangement choices that range from haunting backing vocals to staccato violin plucks." - Hot Lunch Music
"From the guitar work to the drums and all the way to the vocals, everything is done so perfectly and the recording quality is absolutely flawless..." - Girl at the Rock Show
Hear Winterstate's best music to date! Featuring the powerful orchestral rock anthem "Start of Something (SOS)"
ABOUT TECHNICOLOR (2022)
We're Back, Baby!
WINTERSTATE brought a "vibrant, authentic pop-rock" sound to their sophomore album TECHNICOLOR – released on January 14th, 2022
For the album’s lead single – On Top of the World – WINTERSTATE enlisted the help of legendary Grammy Award-winning mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge (responsible for classics including American Idiot - Green Day, The Black Parade – My Chemical Romance), and mastering engineer Ted Jensen (Come Away with Me – Norah Jones)
Three years in the making, TECHNICOLOR is full of fun radio-ready anthems - along with a handful of darker hard rock tracks. This well-crafted album is sure to satisfy current fans and expand the band's following.
About Us
Recent Reviews
"A skillful, thoughtful band, and a strong contender for mainstream airplay" - REBECCA VULLEN (Stereo Stickman)
"Modern alternative experimentation with rebellious, relatable rock and roll. Certainly, The Ride exemplifies its name, leading the listener on an emotionally driven rollercoaster of sound." - JORDAN HENRIE (Ennui Magazine)
"Empires is a perfect calling card for Winterstate, and it embodies the group's penchant for music that feels incredibly authentic and personal, yet larger-than-life. The band reaches for the sky on this song, creating a positive atmosphere and speaking to the audience on a much deeper level with their music, and with their insightful song lyrics alike." - The Bandcamp Diaries
"Winterstate is a shining star in the world of modern alternative music and fans will be eagerly awaiting more." - STEVE SMITH (B.Sc. Music Business - Syracuse University)
"At first listen... feels cozy like a favorite sweater that will still be worn long after it's ragged." - JOHN SIEVERS (507 Magazine)
Our Story
WINTERSTATE is an alternative rock band co-founded in 2015 in Valencia, Spain by Berklee College of Music alumni Kelvin Killmon and Alexander Ortberg.
Alexander Ortberg and Kelvin Killmon grew up in Minnesota - almost close enough to share an area code - but they were destined to cross paths 4,500 miles from home under the sun-bleached palm trees at Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. The two became close friends while pursuing their Master’s degrees in performance and production, and began working on original songs together.
When the pair graduated in 2016, Alex returned to Minnesota while Kelvin moved to Seattle, but their musical collaboration has continued to flourish. Connected by interstate 90, they chose the name WINTERSTATE as a reference to their long-distance work relationship and the icy climates of Minnesota and northern Washington. Their debut album “The Ride” was recorded simultaneously in both locations - with musical ideas being developed and traded back and forth over the Internet.
Our passion is centered around creating community, and sharing music that brings people closer together. We're excited to share this new chapter in our musical journey with you.
Our Sound
Alexander Ortberg’s tight, driving rhythms and clean, multi-layered approach to composition provide the musical bedrock for the band. Kelvin Killmon brings anthemic melodies and rich vocal harmonies to the mix. His insightful lyrics tackle an impressive array of topics - from scandalous small town love affairs, to celebrating life in the face of terminal illness.
The result is a polished alt-rock record tinged with early-2000s nostalgia, but with maturity and technical precision that is rare for the genre.