Scott Hinkson

Artist Information

Biography

Hinkson disappeared into the fray in 2009 and 2010 taking a needed break after his 2nd release, THE TORRENT SESSIONS, which had highlighted success with "Contamination Day", a pounding rocker that made earned a spot CTV/NBC's "The Listener" and Power 97's "River City Rawks" compilation and #61 out of 97 for the 2008 year amongst other radio play across Canada.

He returned refreshed and with a varied sound on 2011's release ONE BESIDE TWO, his 3rd album balanced with half new material and some older material. The result is a more organic sounding record, highlighting Hinkson's voice and writing abilities. More mellow and slightly darker than the other two releases, ONE BESIDE TWO paints landscapes of loss, recovery, and struggle within all through a simplified sound overall but still accented with his ambient, haunting leads and moodiness that defines his production style.

Blending intuitive alternative rock with clever twists of pop-melody, his sound conjures up roaring power and extraordinary vulnerability making your head swim and your heart ache. Combined with a production style of considerable depth and texture, Hinkson's songs stand alone, cutting a swath through the din of mainstream radio and sinking their teeth into an audience that never saw him coming.

In late 2005 Hinkson released his debut solo effort, "Tracking Outside In", "an album which seemingly came out of nowhere like a fully formed diamond" (ChartAttack.com). Darryl Sterdan of the Winnipeg Sun called it "...one of the more varied and intriguing solo sets we've heard lately. The ear-catching production invests these songs with layers and textures that elevate them far beyond the usual bedroom-fi diary musings".

As his solo career was gaining momentum, the first track of “Tracking Outside In” Lately brought Hinkson a songwriting award for via www.songoftheyear.com for May 2006 and had his song listened to by celebrity jurors such as Norah Jones and Jon Bon Jovi. Shortly thereafter pausing to record and produce indie folk artist Serena Postel’s critically acclaimed “Spare Change” EP; Hinkson earned a showcase spot at the Canadian music industry’s hotspot NewMusicWest festival in Vancouver.

In 2009, Hinkson surfaced with his second, more focused release – The Torrent Sessions "everything you could want from an indie-rocker: it’s well-produced, the melodies are catchy and the songs come from a place of inner darkness "(The Uniter). With the first rock single “Contamination Day” selected for Winnipeg's commercial rock station POWER 97 "Class of 2008" contest, Hinkson has already begun recruiting more fans supplemented by his polished live presence.

“One Beside Two” CD release is targeted for summer or September and support ongoing from there while Hinkson continues to explore TV/Film licensing opportunities and a beneficial management, publishing, and/or distribution/label arrangement.

Scott Hinkson is that rarest of finds. A career artist in the making, Hinkson is answering a call that even he doesn't understand...his motivations mysterious, obsessive, gut-wrenching, beautiful and unforgettable.

Instrumentation

Scott Hinkson - Singer/songwriter, producer, mixer, engineer, mastering engineer. Live - Trevor Whatman - Bass, John Huver - Drums, and Mike Onufreychuk - Guitar

Discography

As Scott Hinkson:

- ONE BESIDE TWO (2011) - (Songwriter, Performer, Producer, and Recording/Mix/Mastering Engineer)
- THE TORRENT SESSIONS (2008) - (Songwriter, Performer, Producer, and Recording/Mix/Mastering Engineer) - "Contamination Day" on CTV/NBC's "The Listener" and Power 97's River City Rawks 2008 compilation. “Surrounded” featured on Sean Garrity’s “Zooey and Adam” 2009 feature length film.
- In May 2007, Hinkson was selected to showcase at NewMusicWest in Vancouver, Canada.
- May 2006 - Hinkson earns a songwriting award for his song “Lately” via the www.songoftheyear.com songwriting contest.
- TRACKING OUTSIDE IN (2005) - (Songwriter, Performer, Producer, and Recording/Mix/Mastering Engineer)
- MUSIC FOR THE SHORT FILM 'MAN ALONE' (2003) - (Songwriter, Performer, Producer, and Recording/Mix/Mastering Engineer)

Other Projects:

- SERENA POSTEL “Spare Change” (2006) - (Producer, Performer, and Recording/Mix/Mastering Engineer)
- SNOOPER “Under the Radar” (2004) - (Co-Songwriter, Producer, Recording/Mix/Mastering Engineer, Bass Guitar, and Backing Vocals)

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Simpleton
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• One Beside Two
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• I Could Never Ever Lose
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• Contamination Day
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• Lately
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Lyrics

• Contamination Day
• Lately
• Everything Solo
• Amber
• Five Stars
• A Miracle Complete
• Reason to Come Alive
• Surrounded
• Simpleton

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• One to Watch... [+ Show ]
  

  Although there are many good artists in the alternative singer-songwriter genre (Elliott Smith, Mike...Although there are many good artists in the alternative singer-songwriter genre (Elliott Smith, Mike Bones), many of these albums are overwrought, self-indulgent and a real chore to sit through. Local artist Scott Hinkson falls into the former category. On his second album, he creates a gloomy atmosphere that beckons the listener to drift into his world. The production of the album deserves a special mention, as it lifts the album from good to great. Hinkson mixes loops and backing tracks into his songs and produced the album himself. It sounds professional and polished. Hinkson keeps the momentum going. He is definitely one to watch this year.

• No Slacker! [+ Show ]
  

  "Something in me breeds notions of complacency," claims Hinkson. Coulda fooled us. The singer-songwr..."Something in me breeds notions of complacency," claims Hinkson. Coulda fooled us. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist's second solo CD proves he's no slacker. Rather, he continues to stand out from the troubadour pack by setting his folk-based confessional tales against an ambitiously crafted and stylishly produced backdrop of layered pop-rock.

• CHARTATTACK.COM Winnipeg Buzz: Scott Hinkson Comes In From the Cold [+ Show ]
  

  It's not often that an artist can surprise a jaded rock critic. Scott Hinkson has done just that wit...It's not often that an artist can surprise a jaded rock critic. Scott Hinkson has done just that with his new Tracking Outside In album, which seemingly came out of nowhere like a fully formed diamond.
  
  Of course, Hinkson hasn't really come out of the wilderness. His last big-profile project was Far Gone, a band in which he toiled with Jet Set Satellite frontman Trevor Tuminski. He's played in Snooper and put out a film soundtrack for Man Alone, and has also performed under the now-dropped moniker, Talent Show Finalist. "I thought I would outgrow that name," says Hinkson.
  
  "Believe it or not, people were confused by the name. I kept getting asked what prizes I was competing for. They didn't get it."
  
  Hinkson's finally found a name he can live with (his own), but now he needs to introduce himself all over again. Unfortunately, his online presence doesn't quite do him justice.
  
  The Winnipegger blends together some pretty disparate sounds, yet still makes accessible tunes. Whip together the majestic ambition of Jeff Buckley, the hooky simplicity of a tougher Tal Bachman, the challenging nature of Failure, and the warm and soft tones of Eric Matthews, and you'll have a strange musical stew. Maybe that recipe's impossible to make, but describing the varied sounds of Tracking Outside In is almost as hard. You try it.
  
  "The album was made over such a long period, between five and six years, so the different sounds are a product of the different influences and ideas I had over all that time," explains Hinkson. "I mean, I like Tool, but I like Sun Kil Moon, too.
  
  "There's not just one thing that's influenced me. But it wasn't a conscious effort to have it be so different. I wouldn't do it over that long a period of time again. I would do it quicker and make it more cohesive."
  
  As mentioned previously, Hinkson's last release was a soundtrack. So it may not come as a surprise that Tracking Outside In reveals great detail in atmospherics and a wide range of instrumentation. It sounds like a record that was worked on patiently and, maybe, obsessively. What might surprise some people is that the ultra-professional disc was created without any management, label or distribution lined up — or even really sought after.
  
  "I just wanted to get it out," insists Hinkson. "I didn't want to send stuff out and wait for replies or get form letters back."
  
  Hinkson is nevertheless benefiting from unofficial assistance in the form of his strong friendship with Tuminski, whose band had their own struggles with Nettwerk and consequently getting out their recent indie disc. Tuminski and bandmate Dave Swiecicki add their talents to five songs on Hinkson's new one.
  
  Hinkson wrote, produced, mixed and mastered every song on the new CD. He also sang and played a multitude of instruments. Maybe his brilliantly catchy first single, "Everything Solo," reflects his Prince-like musical ambition. Now his next decision will be whether to tour as a solo act or with a full band. He's doing both for his album release party on February 4 at The Pyramid with special guest Serena Postel. Check out the show and help him decide.
  
  Chris Yackoboski - January 20, 2006

• WINNIPEG SUN Review of Tracking Outside In [+ Show ]
  

  STYLE: Singer-songwriter with multiple personalities. SUBSTANCE: Admit it -- when you hear the term ...STYLE: Singer-songwriter with multiple personalities. SUBSTANCE: Admit it -- when you hear the term singer-songwriter, you think: Sensitive guy massaging an acoustic guitar and baring his tormented soul. Well, we are glad to report that Scott Hinkson is not that kind of singer-songwriter. Yes, his solo CD Tracking Outside In is truly a solo CD -- Hinkson plays nearly every instrument and produces himself. And yes, on these dozen cuts, the craftsman proves he can work an earnestly bittersweet melody and spin an engagingly personal tale with the best of them. But the former member of bands like Far Gone and Snooper also shows that unlike many troubadours, he's not afraid to plug in, crank up and rock out too. Plus his ear-catching production invests these songs with layers and textures that elevate them far beyond the usual bedroom-fi diary musings. All of which make Tracking Outside In one of the more varied and intriguing solo sets we've heard lately -- and mark Hinkson as a local artist to keep track of. Catch his CD release show Feb. 4 at the Pyramid. STANDOUTS: The lightly fuzzy pop-rock of Closer [note, there is no song called closer on the album, Lately is likely the intended title]; the strummy bounce of Everything Solo; the string-sweetened folk-pop of Agreed; the skittery electro-rock of Day One. ON THE WEB: www.scotthinkson.com
  
  Sun Rating: 4 out of 5
  
  Darryl Sterdan - January 20th, 2006
  

• Uptown - Local Heroes [+ Show ]
  

  Scott Hinkson was last heard on Under the Radar as a member of Snooper. Hinkson’s on his own again, ...Scott Hinkson was last heard on Under the Radar as a member of Snooper. Hinkson’s on his own again, and Tracking Outside In finds him mining the melodic rock vein — with a little experimentation thrown in. Hinkson was once a member of Far Gone with Trevor Tuminski of Jet Set Satellite, and both Tuminski and fellow JSS member Dave (Bulldog) Swiecicki lend a hand, as do Serena Postel and others. For the most part, however, this is all Hinkson — he wrote, performed, recorded, engineered and mastered all 12 cuts here. These songs were recorded over a five-year period, so there’s some variety. Some experiments aren’t as successful as The Bow Song, but on that track Hinkson manages to create not just a song but an environment and a mood. Lately, Everything Solo and On the Inside also warrant some love. Nice stuff, with more to follow, hopefully.
  
  B+
  
  Mike Warkentin - March 30, 2006

• THE PROJECTOR (RRC Newspaper) Review of Tracking Outside In [+ Show ]
  

  Winnipeg singer/songwriter Scott Hinkson blends many musical shades together in his chameleon debut ...Winnipeg singer/songwriter Scott Hinkson blends many musical shades together in his chameleon debut album, Tracking Outside In. Former member of Winnipeg band Far Gone, Hinkson has crept out on his own branch to showcase his singer/songwriter talents in this pop/alternative/rock amalgamation album.
  
  With lyrics like, "Get loaded with me, we'll hit the LC," my 'Pegger pride perked up, but wasn't the only thing that kept me listening to this album through all twelve tracks.
  
  Subtle intros of quick fingered acoustic strumming and sinuous lyrics as heard in songs like Center/Line and Agreed, are woven throughout the disc, entwined with stiff, powerful songs full of conviction and tied down by rock roots. This braided combination gives the album a well-rounded feel.
  
  Some tracks tend to teeter on the cusp of repetitive, but are not similar enough to raise any serious boredom. Hinkson redeems himself with the impeccably timed bursts of raw lyrics and rock, providing a sound that sets him apart from run of the mill pop tarts.
  
  While he tracks his way into the ranks of memorable Canadian artists from the cold obscurity of the vast musical unknown, Scott Hinkson has made an album that is well worth a few spins.
  
  B+
  Joanna Fultz - February 6th, 2006

Setlist

Sets vary from 45 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (2 sets or one) and can be solo or accompanied with a band. Covers have been Concrete Blonde, Tool, Elliott Smith, Soundgarden, and Neil Young most recently. Sets usually consist of rock upbeat songs, followed by a short segment of slower more sombre material.

Basic Requirements

Calendar