Check Out Jimmy Winick’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Winick.

Hi Jimmy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been drawn to music and storytelling since I was 8 years old, playing Guitar Hero and wanting to be like Slash. Growing up in Los Angeles, my first introduction to making art was starting a band with my friends in fourth grade. To this day, I still play with one of those friends, and our band’s name is Off Task.

In middle school, I started making short films, which led me to audition for and attend Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) as a Cinematic Arts major. There, I worked on a variety of projects, including a comedic music video for Off Task that became my thesis film.

I later attended UCLA, where I studied Music History and Industry. During that time, I built lasting relationships with other musicians and creatives, collaborating on songwriting, production, and recording projects. I’ve also worked in a variety of creative spaces, from the film industry as a production assistant, runner, editor, and composer to recording studios as an intern, studio assistant, and engineer.

In 2023, while working at the outdoor movie company Cinespia, I met the members of the second band I joined, Hvnted. Since then, I’ve played numerous shows and toured the West Coast as their guitarist. I also produce for both of the bands I’m in—Off Task and Hvnted—and continue to write and produce for other artists.

Playing guitar has always been a huge part of my identity, and I’ve built a community of music fans through TikTok live streams and short-form content across social media. I also write and produce under my solo project, Bubbley, where I experiment with genre-blending and create alternative music that pulls from a wide range of influences.

Whether I’m in the studio, on stage, behind a camera, or online, my goal has always been the same: to connect with people through art. My path hasn’t been linear, but every experience—from film sets to live shows to late-night recording sessions and livestreams—has shaped who I am as an artist. I’m still learning, still building, and excited to see where the next opportunity takes me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I mean, come on—I’m pursuing a career in the arts. What could possibly go wrong? 😂

Ever since I realized music was my passion at 15 or 16, I’ve received plenty of criticism from people who didn’t think it was a realistic career path. From elders to roommates, loved ones to coworkers, I’ve heard my fair share of doubts. But I’ve always been strong-willed and believed that if I had enough drive, hustle, and talent, I could eventually make a living doing what I love. Along the way, I’ve worked plenty of side hustles to support that dream, including driving for Uber and Postmates and working as a host at an Italian restaurant.

I’ve also faced a lot of challenges within the creative process itself. I’ve had bands back out of shows at the last minute, had to part ways with band members, and experienced projects not going according to plan. One of the biggest turning points came when I was 17. Off Task was recording our first release, but we didn’t have the budget for an engineer or producer to finish it. Instead of giving up, I took the stems home and taught myself how to produce and mix our music. Looking back, that obstacle ended up becoming one of the most valuable skills I’ve ever developed and has served me incredibly well as an independent artist and producer.

Beyond the music itself, I’ve learned that the creative world is full of big personalities. Throughout my life, from dealing with school bullies to difficult roommates and challenging professional relationships, I’ve had to learn how to stand up for myself and set boundaries. There were times when people saw my passion and skills as something they could take advantage of, but those experiences taught me the importance of knowing my worth and surrounding myself with people who genuinely support one another.

As frustrating as these setbacks have been, every challenge has forced me to become more independent and more confident in who I am as both an artist and a person. In a weird way, the bumps in the road have shaped my career just as much as the successes.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I am a musician and producer. I write, produce, and perform music, but I also have a background in filmmaking and content creation. One thing I like about the title “producer” is that it has a double meaning for me. I produce music and make beats under the name Bubbley, but I’ve also produced short films and music videos through my production company, Bubbley Entertainment. Storytelling has always been the common thread, whether it’s through sound or visuals.

I play in two bands, Off Task as a guitarist and vocalist, and Hvnted as a guitarist, and I produce for both projects. I also collaborate with other artists and create my own solo music under my artist project, Bubbley. As a music producer, I started out in Logic Pro before eventually making the switch to Ableton, which is now my primary DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). I’ve also sold many beats through BeatStars and enjoy working with artists from different backgrounds and genres. Additionally, I’ve worked as a photographer, videographer, and vlogger for various artists and rappers, which has given me another creative outlet and a behind-the-scenes perspective on the music industry.

Outside of making original music, I’ve built a community on TikTok by adding guitar to songs that don’t originally have guitar parts, usually trap songs, but also pop and rock tracks. I started livestreaming in March, and within a few months, my page gained over 10,000 new followers. Some of the artists whose songs I’ve covered have even noticed my work, with Gunna reposting one of my videos and Nicki Minaj liking and favoriting another. My hope is that those listeners eventually discover the original music I create, whether that’s through my solo project or the bands I’m involved with.

I’m especially proud of the work I’ve done with Off Task. I’ve produced and mixed every song we’ve released, and one of our biggest milestones was having our song “Ooo,” which I co-wrote, performed, produced, and mixed, featured in the feature film 57 Seconds with Morgan Freeman as part of the original soundtrack. We’ve also had the opportunity to perform at iconic Los Angeles venues like The Whisky, The Mint, and The Rose, along with countless other local shows.

With Hvnted, I’ve had the chance to perform across Los Angeles (playing venues like The Viper Room, The Whisky, Harvard & Stone, and Lucky Strike) as well as tour all across the West Coast supporting larger acts. More recently, I’ve begun recording and producing for the band as well. I’m especially grateful for Hvnted because it introduced me to the LA alternative music scene and connected me with an incredible community of musicians, photographers, videographers, producers, and other creatives.

I’m also proud that so much of what I do is self-taught. I originally learned how to produce, mix, and master music because my band couldn’t afford to hire someone else. Later, I was asked to score a short film, something I’d never done before, so I taught myself that as well. The film, White Lies, directed by my friend Harry Goldstein, was accepted into the Catalina Film Festival, and seeing that project come to life was incredibly rewarding.

I think what sets me apart is my willingness to wear many different hats. As an independent artist, you have to embrace the DIY mindset and constantly learn new skills. Whether I’m playing guitar, producing records, scoring films, creating content, engineering sessions, performing live, or working behind the camera, each experience makes me a more well-rounded artist. Regardless of what I’m doing, my goal is the same: to create something authentic and hopefully inspire other people to create too.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are so many people in my life who deserve credit for supporting me, mentoring me, and collaborating with me. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without them.

First and foremost, I’d like to thank my family. My parents, Leila and Ken Winick, raised me in a loving and supportive environment and have always encouraged me to pursue my creative passions. I know I can always go to either of them for advice. My dad used to help book gigs for my bands when I was younger and would always give thoughtful feedback on our music and creative projects. My mom has always led by example through her generosity and strong values, and she’s been one of my biggest supporters throughout my life. They’re also both incredibly social people, and I think that helped shape my ability to connect with others and build lasting friendships and creative collaborations.

I’d also like to thank my extended family. My grandparents, Bea and Al Winick, my aunt Sherri Shimer, and my step-grandma, Felicia Skolnik, have always been excited to see what I’m working on and supportive of my creative endeavors. My cousin, Daniel Bornstein, deserves a special shoutout because he’s actually the person who came up with the nickname “Bubbley” when I was a kid, and it’s stuck with me ever since. He also helped me land one of my first film industry jobs by recommending me for a production assistant position at Sunny Boy Entertainment.

As for collaborators and teammates, I’d like to thank Thelonious Cundieff, who plays bass in Off Task and has been one of my closest friends since third grade. We’ve been making music together for most of our lives, and it’s been amazing to grow up alongside each other as artists. I’d also like to thank Harry Goldstein, one of my biggest collaborators in filmmaking and a longtime supporter of my work. Trusting me to score his short film White Lies pushed me to learn a whole new skill set and grow as a composer and producer.

I’d also like to thank my bandmates in Hvnted—Will Swanson, Abe Flores, and Jack Cotter—for welcoming me into the band and introducing me to the Los Angeles alternative music scene. Through them, I’ve met so many talented musicians, photographers, videographers, producers, and other creatives who continue to inspire me.

As for mentors, I’d like to mention Adam Moseley, who was the professor of my favorite class at UCLA. At a time when I was struggling to find my place at such a big school, his class felt like a breath of fresh air. Not only did he teach me more about the technical side of engineering and producing music, but he also taught me how to work with different personalities, genres, and creative environments. Hearing stories about his experiences working with legendary artists (including Queen, David Bowie, Rush, The Cure, The Sex Pistols, and many more) was inspiring, but what stuck with me most were the life lessons that came along with them. I was fortunate enough to intern for him after taking his class, which gave me an even deeper appreciation for his creative process. Through that experience, I also became friends with his wife, Esthy, and we eventually collaborated on the song “Don’t Care Anymore,” which has earned over 140,000 streams on Spotify.

I’d also like to thank everyone I’ve worked with throughout my career, from the teams at The Recording Club, Sunny Boy Entertainment, and Cinespia to the faculty at LACHSA and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. I would also like to mention friends and collaborators like Martin Velasquez, Seamus Neil, Bennett North, Xuly Williams, WRKINSILENCE, and so many others who have encouraged and inspired me along the way.

At the end of the day, I think one of the greatest parts of pursuing a creative career is the people you meet. Every collaboration, friendship, mentor, coworker, and supporter has played a role in shaping who I am, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of them.

Pricing:

• Guitar tracking for songs starting at $50
• Beat leases starting at $25
• Guitar lessons starting at $50/hr
• Custom music production starting at $200
• Photography, videography, vlogging, and editing services – contact for rates

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ladybug-dogfish-jjze.squarespace.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleARbxzVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadSD_9kHyuGXD4XpTImtfPtRrwRDTl-8wYdC8imMH5vPOzezz9n511h7tO1OQ_aem_hQ2YyrENQ-dB8tuAblv1_g
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.bubbley/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.winick/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-winick-294811164/
• Twitter: https://x.com/__bubbley__
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@b.bubbley
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bbubbley
• Other: https://linktr.ee/b.bubbley

Image Credits
Vivian Sofinch, Dylan Gianella, Jessica Greif, Kate Christenson, Owen Roche