Winter Madness 2024 Judges
Jenny Bates
For over 20 years, Jenny has managed the press and marketing strategies for Broadway national tours across North America. Career highlights: Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Jersey Boys, MJ The Musical, Fun Home, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Last Ship starring Sting, Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands. While she spent many years as a multi-hyphenate artist in the musical theater genre, she now lives in the synth and rock music worlds. You can catch her as the lead singer of the NYC-based 80s influenced band, Diamond Field, with Andy Diamond, and the rock infused band, Beckerton, with Grammy Award winner Tony Lake. Beckerton’s EPs, “Unpacked Cases” and “No Longer Have To” are available wherever you grab your tunes. Jenny also moonlights as @jenepiphanyphoto taking as many photos of as many live music events as possible.
Samantha Bolon
My name is Sam, I am the Talent Acquisition Manager at TuneCore. No musical talents, but a big lover of all genres. Excited to be here and listen to some good music!
Rachel Cleary
Rachel Cleary is a veteran of the downtown performance art scene. Shortly after graduating college, she found herself immersed in this thriving community, where she honed her talents as a spoken word artist and stage performer. Rachel has made many appearances in independent films (Love, Ludlow; Werewolf Bitches From Outer Space”; “Skate Joan ((of the Park))” ). Her interest in how these films and plays got made led to her working in a production capacity and ultimately in the field of live event production. Rachel is a founding member of Radio Free Brooklyn, she produced and hosted the long running Hear and Now with Rachel C., wherein she hosted everyone from local emerging artists to Grammy, Emmy, Oscar, and NAACP Imager award recipients. She currently serves as the station’s Music Director.
Rachel is a Brooklyn native and lifelong resident of the five boroughs. She is a proud CUNY graduate, is passionate about connecting people and loves live music. She is also an avid distance runner who still races and loves coaching the next generation of athletes.
Varghese Chacko
Varghese Chacko is the Founding Partner & President at Nightlife United, a non-profit coalition focused on industry resources and advocacy. This organization, created by and for local professionals, has fundraised $200,000 for grants and is launching an Apprenticeship program for underrepresented cultural workers. He is also proud to serve on the National Independent Venue Association's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Advisory Group. Varghese loves to see live music.
Kevin Cornell
Kevin Cornell is an Events and Brand Partnerships Manager at TuneCore. He’s been on TuneCore’s marketing team for years, helping indie artists get their music out to stores and streaming platforms all over the world. Kevin also co-runs the scrappy Living Waters Records out of Ridgewood.
Sebastian Gonzalez
Sebastián González, Colombian singer, Guitar Player and composer is a multi Latin-Grammy award nominee and a voting member on the academy.
At an early age, he started a successful musical career signing for the multinational record company EMI, recording 3 albums leaving several radio hits in Colombia, latin America and latin communities around the world. After touring for over 21 countries, Sebastian went to Oceania, playing several shows all over the Australian coast and New Zealand.
Currently, Sebastian is leading the musical collective Eclectic Charango Beats, a band that is actively touring the tri-state area, having made more than 80 shows in different venues, festivals and events. Sebastian has published a wide music catalog of over than 30 songs as an interpreter, arranger and composer.
Tim Heuisler
Born and bred in Philadelphia, Tim cut his teeth both behind the bar and as general manager of renowned whiskey bar and jazz venue, Time, for nine years before joining Beam in 2017. Since then, he’s worked with the James B. Beam Distillery and the company’s advocacy team to help showcase what he considers the industry’s top American Whiskey portfolio.
Now based in Brooklyn, Tim travels to share his knowledge with bartenders, influencers, and whiskey enthusiasts all over the world. Whiskey education may be his focus but connecting with the people who bring brands like Jim Beam to life is his passion. Back for the third time as a judge, Tim and the local Beam Suntory team have been active supporters of OWL and Winter Madness since year 1.
Helena Horn
Helena Horn is a New York based music industry professional currently serving as Senior Director, Artist & Label Partnerships at The Orchard. She is responsible for bringing new artists and labels into The Orchard for distribution, and previously helped build out The Orchard’s global Artist Services division. Coming from a finance background, she has also held different roles in the music industry as a strategy analyst and business manager. As the child of two musicians, she grew up playing flute, piano, and singing. Her appreciation for music runs deep and she is excited to be part of Winter Madness!
Lisa Levy
Lisa Levy is a comedian, conceptual artist, radio show host and self-proclaimed psychotherapist, Dr. Lisa—as well as being crowned Miss Subways 2017. Lisa started her performance career as a self-proclaimed psychotherapist in 2001, when she took the stage at HERE Arts Center in NYC with her one-woman improv show, Psychotherapy LIVE! — performing psychotherapy on audience volunteers in a psychotherapist’s office set on stage. She has since performed in countless venues in NYC such as Joe’s Pub, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, BRIC, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Woolly Mammoth Theater, The Brooklyn Museum, SPRING/BREAK Art Fair, HERE Arts Center and many more. Her weekly radio show, “Dr. Lisa Gives a Sh!t”, airs live every Thursday 2-3pm on Radio Free Brooklyn.org. There are over 300 episodes available in the show’s archives.
She also has an extensive visual art career and is represented by VSOP Projects. She is the founder/director of The Dog House Gallery at The Brooklyn Comedy Collective, which exhibits work by funny artists in a comedy space.
Connor McInerney
Connor Beckett McInerney is a writer, journalist, media professional, and music critic based in Brooklyn, NY.
His work has appeared in such publications as Pitchfork, FLOOD, Impose Magazine, Bedford + Bowery, AdHoc, and Alt Citizen. He currently works at Condé Nast, where he spearheads social media and newsletter strategy. He previously served as the Managing Editor for the stalwart, OG music blog The Deli Magazine.
Since 2020, Connor has helmed the on-again, off-again NYC music project LOCAL BOPS. In his free time, he still enjoys booking the odd DIY gig and DJs around the five boroughs under the moniker Connector.
Carlo Minchillo
Carlo Minchillo is a professional drummer living in Brooklyn, and is associated with the New York psychedelic soul band, Ghost Funk Orchestra (Colemine Records). He is also the founder and owner of the Brooklyn Drum Collective (BDC), a local music organization that provides community events, networking and educational opportunities, repair services and much more. When he’s not busy touring or fixing drums, you will find Carlo hosting the open jam on Tuesdays at Our Wicked Lady.
Mike Nasty
Mike Nash, also known by his stage name Mike Nasty, is a New York City-based DJ, Producer and Event Curator. In a little over 15 years, Mike has earned his stamp as a curator of unique sounds and fashion through sneaker culture. Being well-versed in House, Hip Hop and R&B music, has allowed him to move seamlessly across the international and domestic spectrum of night life. With the infusion of various scratch techniques and tasteful selections, Mike is able to rock the best of crowds with ease. This DJ isn’t afraid to push boundaries.
Nosaj
Nosaj (aka Jason Furlow) is a true hip-hop maverick. Raised in New York City, the MC and producer’s trailblazing sonic experimentalism began with his role in cult ‘90s psychedelic rap troupe New Kingdom. Nosaj’s thirst for innovative musical styles has led to him collaborating with dub-master Bill Laswell, new wave singer-songwriter David Byrne (Talking Heads), and trip-hop acts Tricky and Morcheeba. Recent collaborations with Mars Mechanics (a supergroup involving the producer Extrakd, guitarist Buckethead, and Primus/Guns ’N Roses drummer Brain)- as well as fellow rap experimentalist Armand Hammer, FATBOI SHARIFF, The Dead Can Rap, PT Barnum , Honeychild Coleman
Over 25 years on from Nosaj’s recorded debut, his reputation endures as one of hip-hop's most consistently boundary-pushing artists—and as simply one of the most distinctive and emotive voices you’ll ever hear.
Ben Oastler
Ben Oastler boasts a rich and varied background in the music industry, seamlessly blending his roles as a performer and a music executive. Originating from Melbourne, Australia, his journey in music began in the early 2000s, where he excelled as a professional session musician, music teacher, songwriter, touring musician, and performer. In 2018, Ben relocated to the United States, transitioning from his active musical pursuits while maintaining a vital presence in the industry. Now, he leverages his extensive experience in a music industry executive role focusing on data analytics. In this capacity, Ben develops and implements strategies that catalyze innovation and growth in the realms of music distribution, publishing, licensing, and artist services.
Ben’s musical tastes are a colorful mix, ranging from that on the heavier side to jazz and fusion. He's also got a soft spot for the catchy, heart-tugging tunes of Hall and Oates. Ben's a fan of punchy choruses, smart lyrics, and the kind of arrangements that make you sit up and listen.
Robert Prichard
I moved to NYC in 1983 to pursue acting. Did some plays and a couple of movies. Maybe you’ve seen me, have you seen “The Toxic Avenger?” In 1993 I opened my own theater space on the Lower East Side, it was called “Surf Reality’s House of Urban Savages” and it ran until 2003.
Regular performers included Jim Gaffigan, Marc Maron, Maggie Estep, The Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and Sonia Sohn. In 2015 I co-founded the internet radio station Radio Free Brooklyn. These days, I produce and host a weekly psychedelic music show on RFB called “Bushwick Garage.” Summers, I work for Coney Island USA. Some days I run lights and sound for the “Sideshow By The Seashore” and on other days I’m the House Manager for the theatre.
David Steele
David Steele has had a long and diverse career in music and live entertainment. He has released major and indie label recordings with numerous bands, scored countless soundtracks for commercials, film and theater, toured the world many times over, was Music Director and Creative Director with Blue Man Group for nearly twenty years and is a voracious music spelunker and cheerleader with a happy heart for iconoclast punk souls of all genres.
Mark Turrigiano
Mark Turrigiano is an award-winning music producer, songwriter, sound designer & mixer, working in the fields of music, podcasts, radio, television & film. He’s been producing music in Brooklyn for over 20 years, with hundreds of credits to his name, including work with John Legend, Fred Schnider (B52’s), Rachel Platten, Ingrid Michaelson, Lissy Trullie and more.
More recently, he has been supervising sound editor for projects with A24, Magnolia Productions, Showtime, Netflix & Comedy Central, and has been senior sound engineer at Harbor Picture Company since 2017. Most importantly, he has been a judge for Winter Madness since its inception.
Adam Wieczner
Adam spent 4 years working for SXSW as a stage manager advancing bands, ultimately running the largest outdoor stage at Auditorium shores and advancing national touring acts like the Deftones, Wolfmother, Coheed & Cambria, Ludacris, Ryan Bingham and more. He later went on to produce his own music showcase at the festival. Adam currently runs the Jim Beam music program for Beam Suntory New York, and manages all their music and sports partnerships across the state. In his free time you can find Adam at Webster Hall, OWL, Brooklyn Steel, Avant Gardner or one of the other many great music venues across the city.
Jenny Willink
Jennie Willink is a creative producer with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment/nightlife industry, anchored by 14 years as senior vice president of creative development and executive producer with the world renowned Blue Man Group. Currently, Jennie oversees special projects for ZeroSpace, a next-gen production and creative studio and has several live music/entertainment/hospitality concepts in development. She recently produced/operated the midtown nightclub, The Stranger, and the Drama Desk Award winning theatrical experience, Queen of the Night, and has worked with many other notable clients including: The Box; Detroit Institute of Art; author Elizabeth Gilbert; RayBan; Baccarat Hotel; and CBS Television. Jennie is also the author of the recently published middle-grade novel, The Peonies: Summer in the City.
Past Winter Madness judges include Billy Aukstik of Hivemind Studio, Jeff Berner of Studio G Brooklyn, Tommy Borscheid of The Orchard, Lia Camille Crockett of Parcha Projects, musician Rich Cahill, Jonathan Clarke of iheart radio, musician/producer/DJ Quantic, co-owner of Favorite Friend Records, musician, and producer Nick LaFalce, musician and producer Sara Landeau, artist/rapper Lawd P, producer Lucius Page, Multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer & arranger Anant Pradhan and DJ/producer/ musician Jonathan Toubin.