Zach Winters lives in Norman, Oklahoma.  He sleeps next to his wife, Lane. His son, Leif, sleeps in his his big boy bed in the other room.  His daughter, Ramona, was born in summer and sleeps in a 1940s wooden cradle on loan from some friends. Their ancient yet beautiful bird, Martín, chortles like three far-away birds, and sings more when the Winters are singing or praying or in the afternoon sun from the south-facing windows.  Zach is sure that humans were made to make, to create, and when his heart is watered, music grows.  He relishes the idea that his music delights the heart of the Maker of all things.  Monday-Friday, Zach teaches/illuminates.

They Were Longing for a Better Country is engagement, changing seasons, birth, poring over maps that don’t tell you where to go, acquiescence to love, not wanting for bread (or anything), a child leading animals, absence of friends, spreading hands, spontaneous songs, and marriage.  It is accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo, bass drum, cajón, cajón cubano, caxixi, claps, congas, cymbal swells, electric bass, electric guitar, harmonica, jingle bells, mandolin, nylon-string guitar, piano, piano beats, singing, slide guitar, smacks, snare drum, stomps, tambourine, uñas & whistling.  It was recorded with a bit fancier set-up than the previous recordings.  2011.

Companion is b-sides, instrumentals, live songs, old songs, tucked-away thoughts, meditations, grandma, Christmas and squirrels.  2011.

Dante’s Inferno EP narrates Dante Alighieri’s journey through the 9 circles of hell towards heaven, God and Beatrice, his deceased wife.  Written in “cantos”, or songs, Inferno is Dante’s most memorable portrayal of the afterlife from his epic poem la Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy).  It is nylon-string guitar and voice.  The songs were recorded one fall afternoon with no overdubs.  2010.

Sol Invictus is early church fathers in the winter, jingle bells, Zach, Lane, Alex, and Best Song in Latin in Sufjan Steven’s Xmas Song Exchange.  2007.

My Thoughts Are Ours from Here is myrrh, packed bags, travel, prelude to engagement, the girl, lovesickness, ocean & sea, eight time zones of separation, and the romance of God.  It is nylon-string guitar, banjo, voice, acoustic guitar, mandolin, contrabass, cell phone, djembe, stick with wooden shells, shaker, video camera, aluminum bowl, electric bass, bead case & pink tie-dyed shirt.  This album was recorded with the same Mbox + sm57 combo as Intermission.  2006.

Bill’s Molehill EP is team, by the seat of your pants improvisation, exploration, paint-without-numbers, basement with roommate’s borrowed instruments, live with no setlist trio kinesis.  It is drums, saxophones, acoustic guitar & voice.  Bill’s Molehill was a collaborative project with Kevin Campbell and Justin Williams.  2005.

A Long Intermission is loneliness, love lost, myopia, buoyancy, a college dormitory, humid nights, an electric fan in the window, and springtime.  It is voice, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, upright & electric bass, cello, gourds, mandolin, banjo & sternum.  2004.