Santa Cruz-born musician Windser (aka Jordan Topf) is back in town — and back on stage — this Saturday, November 8 at The Catalyst, joined by local openers Hearsing. Ahead of the show, he caught up with Matthew Swinnerton of Event Santa Cruz to talk about his whirlwind past few years, his debut album, and what it feels like to return to The Catalyst.
A Homecoming Tradition
“This is like an annual thing now,” he says. “I play The Catalyst every year — they take such good care of us.
The hometown gig has become a ritual: a chance to reconnect with old friends, fans, and the Santa Cruz music scene that first shaped him. “Every time I come back, I want to play with a local band,” he says. “It’s just more fun that way.”
From Singles to a Full-Length Story
After years of releasing singles and EPs, 2025 marked a milestone — Windser’s debut full-length album. The record was recorded live in Los Angeles with a team of standout musicians, including players from Father John Misty’s and Phoebe Bridgers’ bands.
“I just wanted to give fans something they could listen to all the way through,” he explains. “I’d been releasing singles for years, but it felt time to make something people could live with for a while.”
The result is a sonically rich, human-sounding album filled with connection and texture. “We were all in the same room,” he says. “There’s this musical conversation happening — everyone brought their own pizzazz.”
Visual Worlds & Creative Growth
Windser’s creative energy doesn’t stop at sound. He’s deeply involved in the visuals surrounding his music — from color palettes and artwork to storytelling through video. “I think of it as world-building,” he says. “You have to create a world for the music to live in — otherwise, it’s just sound.”
For his debut record, that world meant blues and greens, a natural, cinematic palette reflected across his videos for songs like Memory and Abandon. He’s even filming a mini-documentary in Santa Cruz this weekend about his early musical beginnings.
What’s Next
Despite the album’s recent release, Windser is already looking ahead. “I wrote another record,” he reveals. “I’m updating my studio so I can do more myself — writing, producing, recording.” Inspired by artists like Prince, Tame Impala, and Mac DeMarco, he’s embracing full creative control.
Expect the Saturday show to blend old favorites with fresh material. “We’re playing for over an hour — a lot of songs from the new album and some from before,” he says. “And of course, Memory will always be part of the setlist.”
📍 Windser Live at The Catalyst
Saturday, November 8, 2025 • Doors 7:30 PM • Show 8 PM
Opening band: Hearsing
