Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
$10NZD or more
Vinyl LP
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Pressed here in New Zealand thanks to Holiday Records. All profits split between Fibromyalgia Aotearoa New Zealand and Reuben's whānau and future fund. Reuben struggled silently with fibromyalgia and chronic pain for close to a decade, and this incurable and invisible illness affected his hauora on all levels.
Includes unlimited streaming of III
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
When Reuben Samuel Winter (Waitaha/Kāi Tahu/Te Aupōuri/Te Rarawa/Ngāti Kuri) passed away in September 2020, he left a hole in the New Zealand music community that will never be filled. But like the generous soul he was, he has left behind a glorious gift to us all in Milk III.
Milk III is not the last album that Reuben recorded, but it is a masterpiece and a culmination of a life immersed in music. A life spent experimenting in a plethora of eclectic genres, and constantly leading the charge of weirdness from the vanguard of the New Zealand underground.
Milk III was recorded in January 2019 at Red Bull Studios, recorded, and engineered by Ben Lawson, with countless layers of overdubs recorded at Reuben’s home in Titirangi. It features an eclectic cast of musicians including Reuben Winter, Lachlan Smith, James Thorrington, Emma Hall-Phillips, Victoria Chellew, Charlie (Opi), Jong-Yun J.Y. Lee and Peter Ruddell.
Milk III is being released on black vinyl LP and Bandcamp on 20th April, 2021 via New Zealand label Flying Nun Records, with all profits split between Fibromyalgia Aotearoa New Zealand and Reuben's whānau and future fund. Reuben struggled silently with fibromyalgia and chronic pain for close to a decade, and this incurable and invisible illness affected his hauora on all levels.
The concepts for this work have been present in Reuben for years. The distinctly layered crunching guitars, the melodies that worm their way into your ears, and bite through them, the complex orchestration and arrangements within each track, lift this record up from being another incredible album from a man with a back catalogue of extraordinary albums to his name, to a stunning reflection of the fire that burned within Reuben throughout his entire life.
Reuben's altruism surpassed him, he pushed the limits of what kinds of sounds can come out of this country, and inspired a whole generation of musicians. In saying that, if there is one thing that this album does above all else, it manages to articulate the particular brand of darkness that hovers over this country.
Milk III, like it’s maker, cannot be wholly characterized by the darkness it contains. In fact, the presence of this darkness makes the moments of creative purity, of oneness of sound, of light all the more profound. To write about pain with such honesty is what makes this album worthy of absolute attention.
This record is not a hastily thrown together posthumous release. Every second of sound, every word, every multi-layered overdub was carefully considered, and lovingly crafted by Reuben. It shows an insight into who Reuben was in the last few years of his life. A man brave enough to stare his own pain in the face, and who was kind enough to share himself wholly with anyone who would listen.
credits
released April 20, 2021
All songs written, produced and mixed by Reuben Samuel Winter.
REUBEN WINTER — Vocals, Guitar & Keys, (Bass & Drums on '78)
LACHLAN SMITH — Bass
JAMES THORRINGTON — Drums
EMMA HALL-PHILLIPS — Vocals (Dopehead, Stolen Valor & Crit+)
VICTORIA CHELLEW — Vocals (Maple, Ram Raid, Wifi User & Shirts)
CHARLIE (OPI) — Vocals (A Letter To Silent Heaven)
JONG-YUN J.Y. LEE — Saxaphone (Dopehead)
PETER RUDDELL — Keys (Dopehead, Crit+, Ram Raid & Shirts)
Engineered by BEN LAWSON
Album Design by JOE LOCKE
I typically write bull shit reviews because who reads these. but this album is such a fucking solid pop punk hard core everything. you can really hear some of rubans ideas in his future releases get more psychedelic with the self titled really hits from those spacey phrases in-between songs. fuckin genius. rest in peace <3 KENNY CHARLTON!
I can't even begin to say how much you have influenced and inspired me to be a musician. Waiting for a new Totems release and the joy of finally hearing his amazing explorations of sound was/ always will be some of my most inspirational and cherished memories I have with music.
You introduced me to so many sides of music and all I can say is thank you so much for every second of it.
I never got to fully meet you, but I really wish I did.
So much love and respect to you up there bro. ❤️❤️ morningside selecta