Reuben Winter

**Reuben Samuel Winter** was a singer, multi-instrumentalist, ambient artist, DJ, producer, and mastering engineer from Auckland, New Zealand. He performed under the alias' of milk and Totems, as well as performing as a member of NIISA, P.H.F., Roidz, David Adison, Caroles, Kerosene Community Book, and Bandicoot.

Winter was an influential and prominent member of the Auckland music scene until his death on the 17th of September 2020.

## History

Winter started playing and performing in bands from around the age of 12, performing and releasing electronic dance music under the moniker Totems since late 2009 (The name taken from a Malcolm in the Middle episode). As Totems, he headlined festivals such as Camp A Low Hum and Chronophonium.

 Winter created the alias, milk, to create guitar music that didn't fit with his other projects such as P.H.F., Roidz, Caroles, and Cindy. milk's first album issue(s) was released on the 11th of December 2016, dealing with mental health and Winter's chronic fibromyalgia.

Winter released milk's self titled album on the 28th of January 2019, recording the album himself over a period of two years. The video for one of the four singles, Sugar Glider, was released on the 24th of January 2019, the song features saxophone from Yokozuna's Jy Lee and guitar from the late Adison Whitley.

Following his death, Winter's whānau shared the statement, "*Please take care of one other - openness, communication and aroha are so so important right now",* and asked that in lieu of flowers, koha is appreciated to Music Helps, an organisation dedicated to supporting mental and physical health through music, funds and counselling.

## Discography

### As milk

#### *Albums*

* *issue(s)* (2016) - Danger Collective Records
* *Milk* (2019) - Prison Tapes
* *III* (2021) - Prison Tapes

#### *EPs*

* *lancing/goring* (2016) - Self-released
* *this pain is ruining me* (2016) - Self-released

### As Totems

*Albums*

* *Elixir* (2015) - Cosmic Compositions
* *Totems* (2017) - Prison Tapes

#### *EPs*

* *Island* (2012) - Self-released
* *Bardo Thodol* (2013) - Self-released

* *∞​(​(​(​幽玄​)​)​)​∞* (2013) - Self-released
* *the dream is over* (2014) - Self-released

#### *Singles*

* *Workin Wit / Stunt 151* (2020) - Self-released

### With Caroles

#### Albums

* *Hollow Trophy* (2013)
* *Momentary Decline* (2015)

#### EPs

* *Weed Guyz* (2012)
* *Caroles* (2013)

### With Roidz

#### *Albums*

* *S-E-L-F-E-S-T-E-E-M* (2016)
* *FIGHT NIGHT* (2019)

### With Bandicoot

*Albums*

* *Jurassic Warfare* (2010) - Muzai

### Appears on

*Albums*

* David Adison - *Multiplicity* (2017) - Self-released

## Links

* Facebook
* Bandcamp (milk), Bandcamp (Totems)
* Soundcloud (milk), Soundcloud (Totems)
* Spotify (milk), Spotify (Totems)
* Music Helps

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Remembering Reuben Samuel Winter (Totems, milk, Caroles, Bandicoot, KCB)", Cudby, C., Undertheradar, 21/9/2020, https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/17778/Remembering-Reuben-Samuel-Winter-Totems-milk-Caroles-Bandicoot-KCB.utr
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Seven Quick Questions: Milk", Undertheradar, 7/12/2016, https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/11965/Seven-Quick-Questions-Milk.utr?fbclid=IwAR3CAqw-zQnapkttvPy6ivAqqYa5eX6HP1cpYjptlmQR5KdxQhT5P3XSp4Y
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Totems: Carving An Electronic Niche", Mcintyre, M., NZ Musician, December/January 2014, https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/totems-carving-an-electronic-niche/
4. ↑ "Listen To Auckland Producer Totems' New Self-Titled Album", Undertheradar, 25/10/2017, https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/13384/Listen-To-Auckland-Producer-Totems-New-Self-Titled-Album.utr
5. ↑ "Premiere: Milk Shares Intoxicating Single 'BENZO'", Undertheradar, 28/11/2018, https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/15238/Premiere-Milk-Shares-Intoxicating-Single-BENZO.utr
6. ↑ "Milk's Kinetic New Video Takes You On a Tour of the Real Auckland", McAuley, M., Vice, 24/1/2019, https://www.vice.com/en\_nz/article/kzdaqw/milks-kinetic-new-video-will-take-you-on-a-tour-of-the-real-auckland