AS A DIRECTOR/PRODUCER YOU HAVE WORKED WITH COUNTLESS ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS ON LIVE FORMAT CONCERTS ALL OVER THE WORLD. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST THRILLING PROFESSIONAL MOMENT AND WHICH ARTIST HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST?
I have worked with many and tend to forget more than half of them. The one that truly stands out is the Canadian artist Loreena McKennitt. She is an incredible musician and seeing one of her performances is awe-inspiring. There are very few artists that surround themselves with the caliber of artists that she does. Filming a multi-cam performance with her at the Place Des Artes in Montreal will truly stand out as one of the most memorable professional experiences of my life.
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM PROJECT.
An original music series I created three years ago which has been accepted by public television. The show celebrates the history of American music through the eyes of major contemporary artists. I only call this a dream, because it has not been realized yet. As someone who has totally lost faith in television, ie: reality tv, this represents a return to what I hold hope in for both the television and music industries in general. We have been trying to get sponsors for over a year now. It’s been a tough fight, but we will get there!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Developing several projects right now. In post production on a multi-cam stand up comedy show which I filmed in Atlanta just a week ago.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Morning. Enjoying my first cup of iced coffee as I watch my daughter emerge from the bedroom with a huge smile on her face and her stuffed piggy in tow.
COMB OR BRUSH?
My hair is so short that neither will have an impact.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I love it. I am named after the man who most inspires me.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
45. Whatever!
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Left over tikka masala kabobs. Yummy!
Yes, I was indeed at the Taylor Swift concert on Saturday night at Met Life Stadium. It was fantastic fun to be there with my daughters and I must say, it was quite a spectacular show. Fireworks throughout and no less than TEN costume changes. Miss Swift most certainly did not disappoint.
Carla Bruni’s fourth album, Little French Songs, was released today by Verve. We have always found her music to be a reflection of the independent, stylish and intriguing woman vibe she projects. We can’t help liking Carla Bruni, and her music!
YOU WERE BORN IN MEMPHIS AND GREW UP IN SOUTH CAROLINA. HOW HAS BEING A SOUTHERNER INFORMED YOUR CAREER IN MUSIC AND YOUR LIFE IN NEW YORK?
Oh lord, I wish I could say something slithery and juicy, but the bottom line is that growing up in the south gave me a great appreciation for understated grace & the humility in being polite. As a result, I am by nature, a very well mannered girl who sometimes leaves understatement at home, with a huge love of drippingly beautiful music. Also, trained as a classical pianist, I was a very poised performer. I tried to buck these basic realities when I first landed in NYC, fancying myself to be more exotic and edgy. While I quickly became successful as a free-lance player, I couldn’t manage to get my artist career off the ground. This was the mid-90’s and while I was definitely being noticed by labels, they wouldn’t seal a deal. After a show at CBGB’s I was scouted by a well known producer who was looking for new talent & he requested a meeting. He’s comments were eye-opening and dead on. I’ll never forget it, he said “You are a great songwriter and performer but I don’t see or hear any of ‘you’ in your music. Sitting here with you, you are a charming & quirky southern girl, with a cute crooked smile like you have a big secret. But with your guitar driven band, there is absolutely no evidence of your accomplished piano playing.” I took his advise to heart, succumbing to my roots instead of fighting them and have found my musical and personal happy place. Good, bad or ugly, our roots shape who we are and embracing them is part of the value we bring to any table.
YOU HAVE BEEN PERFORMING SINCE A VERY YOUNG AGE. AT WHAT POINT DID YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOUR ART WOULD BE YOUR LIFE?
The first day I played a cardboard keyboard at age 4. Never looked back.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO STILL ACHIEVE PROFESSIONALLY?
Connecting with listeners & clients. To be able to inspire or touch people emotionally is hugely gratifying. I just hope to keep growing, whatever direction that takes me.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Outside of the givens, my 11 year old son, my husband, my cats, my house in Williamsburg, it would be a good hair day.
COMB OR BRUSH?
Comb!! Must be able to tease!
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
Yep, it never bothers me when people mispronounce it.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
significant….or is it insignificant? I forget.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
I make a mean, super simple radicchio salad with aged balsamic vinegar, EVOO, and black truffle salt. Then I call La Nonna’s around the corner on Bedford & order the most amazing Grandma Pizza with pepperoni, black olives & onions. Yum.
I have just picked up Dancing Around the Bride: Cage, Cunningham, Johns, Rauschenberg, and Duchamp — the catalog for an exhibition I very regrettably just missed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Described in December 2012 by The New York Times as a “favorite museum show of the year,” it examined the intersections and collaborations among the composer John Cage, choreographer Merce Cunningham, and visual artists Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg with the great Marcel Duchamp at the center of it all. We are talking about, arguably, some of the most exciting, profound and pivotal years in New York and in American art. Conceived and presented by curator Carlos Basualdo and contemporary artist Philippe Parreno, the exhibition contained over 100 works in addition to live performances. The catalog is full of seriously interesting essays by and about these artists and features a truly masterful chronology. While it certainly doesn’t replace the experience of the exhibition, I have to say, I am completely enthralled.
Dancing Around the Bride: Cage, Cunningham, Johns, Rauschenberg, and Duchamp. (Philadelphia Museum of Art/Yale University Press, 2012)
YOU WERE ASKED BY OPENING CEREMONY TO CREATE THE NEW STORE MIX. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AND WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?
When my DJ partner Johnny Cocco (his real birthname) and I were working on a mix two summers ago, we had this captivating 30 minute chunk of all-girl alternative music from the 80’s and 90’s. We were like “why don’t we do an entire mix that is just female artists?” That mix turned into a one year-long journey of curating over 150 female artists for 4, 1 hour long mixes, each with their own vibe.
My inspiration also came from living in the room next to my older sister. My father ran a radio station in the 80’s and early 90’s so she always had the radio on or records, tapes and CD’s, blasting the current hits, many of them from the divas of the day.
After hearing the first 2 mixes, Opening Ceremony asked us to come up with a mix especially for them. We still had a 3rd mix to create for our site, so we saved the best diva jams for their mix, and its been trending pretty well in the fashion community.
WE MET YOU AT A RECENT EVENT ON THE ROOF AT THE GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL. WHERE CAN ONE MOST OFTEN FIND YOU AND WHERE DO YOU MOST WANT TO BE FOUND?
I often do special events all around the city, and often times outside. I have DJed Andre Balazs daughter’s prom party at his upstate estate. It was in such a remote location, that the GPS stopped working. I have DJed at numerous clubs and bars around the city, including Avenue, Cipriani’s Wall Street, Bowery Hotel, The Montauk Club, Anchor Bar, Santos Party House, 200 Orchard to name a few. I also work as an experiential producer for Barbarian Group, so I generally prefer special events over DJing at a club until 4:30 in the morning.
DO YOU USUALLY WORK ALONE OR DO YOU LIKE COLLABORATION?
When I DJ out I generally do it alone, although it is nice to spin with a partner, allows you to get food, meet new people and it always makes bathroom breaks less of a juggling act. However for the Chicks with Hits Mix series, I worked very closely with Johnny Cocco. We spent many many hours/days/weeks on the mix,going through dozens of iterations. Sometimes laying the groundwork for large sections of the mix only to tear it up and start all over again. Ears can often hear things differently depending on ones mood/mental state. Cocco and I recently played the mix out live at La Esquina in Williamsburg. We have also been approached to DJ the mixes across Canada. We’ll see how that unfolds.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Joy for me is a hot bath, a jazz record from the early 70’s and a pepper turkey sandwich. Perhaps also a plate of Glidden Point, Maine, oysters, but in no particular order.
Joy in a more abstract sense, is having people enjoy my mixes and music. I also produce music as well.
COMB OR BRUSH?
I generally go with the comb. When I travel I like to pack as light as possible.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
Yes I do. Winslow Turner Porter III is a pretty uncommon name. Only 3 of us so far, ha! A few people have already named their boys Winslow, after hearing my name, and it seems as though there are a few more considering it. People don’t always get it right. One place where I DJ one of the bartenders calls me Winston and the other calls me Wilson. I have learned to accept that not everyone can remember it.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
A funny thing. 31 is just around the corner, but I remember when I was 9, like it was yesterday. I got my first tape cassette, Jane Child.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Great question. Why are you making something good?
I will probably go to Maison Premier for their oyster happy hour and then head to the Meatball Shop on Bedford Ave, for some of their season lamb meatballs with a side of pesto. Pretty amazing.
