Winston

Winston is now one of the country's hottest unsigned commodities after a searing live debut at Canadian Music Week. When frontman Ryan Hauschild began channeling their emotionally powerful songs, an electricity surged through the crowd leading the nation's top music magazine to give the band it's highest praise. “Rocked us so hard we peed our pants,” wrote Chart Magazine. “[Winston is] progressing well towards world domination.”

Soon after their CMW show, the Vancouver band signed a distribution deal with Maplenationwide to release their critically acclaimed debut album, Passengers. Good news for their growing collective of fans who made Passengers one of the top-selling CDs on MapleMusic.com shortly after the online music retailer began selling it in January 2004.

Founded by singer/songwriter Ryan Hauschild, Winston has been an underground favorite of commercial music programmers since they recorded their debut CD last year. Their song "Love It Up and Fell" hit #1 at rock radio station 100.3 The Q and went on to become the station's #3 song of the year. Vancouver's rock station 99.3 The Fox showcased Winston on its 2003 Seeds album, a compilation CD of the city's best unsigned bands. Music critics for The Province newspaper also recognized their talents, and listed Winston as one of the top 10 local bands, alongside established recording artists Hot Hot Heat and The New Pornographers.

Named for the lead character from George Orwell's novel 1984, Winston is Ryan Hauschild on vocals, guitars and piano, guitarist Lanny Hussey, drummer Robbie Watkins, and bass guitarist Tony Kerr. This powerful combination is an exceptional blend of songwriters and musicians who explore new levels of sound and song construction.

The group's singles "Rock (if you need it)" and "Lonely" (US single) create worlds unto themselves with a rich and delicate blend of melody and harmony. Winston's hook-filled songs are eccentric-yet-accessible, luring listeners in with solid rhythms and innovative guitar lines that do more than just showcase "the radiant/inspiring presence of singer/songwriter Ryan Hauschild," according to Robert Thompson, music critic, The Kings of A&R, New York, New York.

Catch Winston this summer as they tour in support of their debut album, Passengers.