Wintergreen

Wintergreen are a London-based avant-pop group from the United Kingdom, active since 1999. The band forms around Gareth Jones and Alec Gregory, and Jones is also associated with The Leaf Library. Their early work develops in Manchester before the group establishes itself in London.

Early releases and sound

The band’s early singles, including The Magic Road and Clockwork Mice/Autumn Leaves, move through electronic-tinged indie pop. Their live sets change repeatedly over time and include laptops, drones, layered vocal samples, autoharps, accordions and other noise-making instruments and devices.

Live work and recording

Wintergreen play a headline set on the church stage at the first Indietracks festival in 2007. After a period away from live performance, they build their own studio, Studio Klank in Wood Green, North London, and record their debut album, The Rule of Small Things, there.

Style and influences

The group is described as writing complex pop songs that avoid gimmicks and cliches, combining energetic rhythms with a melancholy atmosphere. Their recorded work includes detailed guitar parts, catchy vocal melodies and a strong rhythmic base, and their debut EP is finished with producer and mixer Niko Bolas, who has worked with Neil Young, Keith Richards, My Morning Jacket and Fiona Apple.