DJ, Producer & Label Owner · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Josh Wink
Josh Wink is Joshua Winkelman, the Philadelphia DJ behind the 1995 acid classic Higher State of Consciousness and co-founder of Ovum Recordings.
quick facts
- Real name
- Joshua Winkelman
- Also known as
- Winx, Size 9, Accent, The Crusher, Dinky Dog
- Born
- 20 April 1970
- Birthplace
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality
- American
- Based in
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Labels
- Ovum Recordings
- Genres
- Techno, Acid Techno, House
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, joshwink.com
Josh Wink's name is tied to one record: "Higher State of Consciousness," a 1995 acid breaks track that reached the UK top 10. The Philadelphia DJ and producer behind it has kept his label, Ovum Recordings, and his DJ career running in the decades since.
Early Life and Path Into Music
Wink's real name is Joshua Winkelman. According to Wikipedia, he was born on 20 April 1970 in Philadelphia, studied piano for three years and took clarinet lessons as a teenager. He began DJing at 13 as an apprentice to a friend who worked as a radio and mobile DJ, had met King Britt by 1988 and started playing nightclubs after turning 18. His official site describes him as Philadelphia-born and currently based in the city.
Sound and Style
His official biography calls him a pioneer of techno, house and related styles, and Wikipedia lists a string of aliases he has released under: Winx, Size 9, Accent, The Crusher and Dinky Dog among them. German Wikipedia classifies "Higher State of Consciousness" as acid breaks. His site also says his remix discography spans more than 25 years and includes Radiohead, Moby, Sting, Depeche Mode and Dave Clarke.
Ovum Recordings
Wink co-founded Ovum Recordings with King Britt in 1994, according to both English and German Wikipedia. English Wikipedia says the label reached its 300th track with "Aries in Mars" in 2018. The label's own catalogue lists artists including David Alvarado, Gregor Tresher, KiNK, Nic Fanciulli, Perc and Technasia, alongside event brands such as Ovum Miami and Ovum Over Ibiza.
Career Highlights
1995 was the year that mattered. Wikipedia credits Wink's "Don't Laugh" (as Winx) and "I'm Ready" (as Size 9), which reached number one on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and says "Higher State of Consciousness" topped European dance charts. German Wikipedia adds that the track reached number 8 on the UK singles chart and went silver there, and that a 1996 remix version reached number 7.
His albums, per English Wikipedia, are Left Above the Clouds (1996), Herehear (1998), 20 to 20 (2003) and When a Banana Was Just a Banana (2009), plus the compilation A Higher State of Wink's Work (1996).
Wink also turns up on Sven Väth's Cocoon label. He appears on both of Cocoon Recordings' recent anniversary compilations: the 2021 box set 20 Years Cocoon Recordings, per our Cocoon timeline, and the 15 track 25 Years Cocoon Recordings, Volume One, released 11 November 2025, covered in our 25 year anniversary piece.
FAQ
Who is Josh Wink?
Josh Wink is an American DJ and producer from Philadelphia, known for the 1995 acid track "Higher State of Consciousness" and for co-founding Ovum Recordings with King Britt.
What is Josh Wink's most famous track?
"Higher State of Consciousness," released in 1995, is his best-known record. German Wikipedia lists it at number 8 on the UK singles chart in 1995.
What label does Josh Wink run?
He runs Ovum Recordings, which he co-founded with King Britt in 1994.
How old is Josh Wink?
Josh Wink was born on 20 April 1970, which makes him 56 (age 56 as of October 2026).
Where is Josh Wink from?
Josh Wink is American. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his official site describes him as currently based there.
What genre does Josh Wink play?
Josh Wink plays techno, acid techno and house, and is known for acid and breaks influenced records.
What is Josh Wink's real name?
Josh Wink's real name is Joshua Winkelman. He has also released music as Winx, Size 9, Accent, The Crusher and Dinky Dog.
festivals
Past appearances and announced lineups only, each checked against the festival's own records.