Alaska in Winter
Encyclopedia
Alaska in Winter is an American
electronic
band
, created by DavMasters, consisting of front man Brandon Bethancourt, who dropped out of art school in Albuquerque, New Mexico
and reportedly,
"spent a semester in a tiny cabin out in the middle of nowhere Alaska
recording music on a laptop during the winter" and which later came to be known as the project, "Alaska in Winter". Bethancourt later went back to New Mexico and enlisted the help of fellow musicians, Zach Condon (Beirut
), Heather Trost
(A Hawk and a Hacksaw
), Hari Ziznewski (Rap
), Stefanie Lamm, Rosina Roibal, Hilary Bethancourt, and Naila Dixon to help with his later musical compositions. The band has garnered some of its fame in part due to Zach Condon's appearance on their debut album, Dance Party in the Balkans
.
Bethancourt has been living in Berlin
, Germany
where he recorded his second album, Holiday
, which was released November 17, 2008 (Europe) / 18th (US). After releasing "Holiday," Bethancourt moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico
, where he currently resides.
Under his independent label, AIWM, Bethancourt released his third and most recent album, Space Eagle (the motion picture soundtrack)
, on February 16, 2010. Only 100 copies in cassette tape form have been printed, as announced by Bethancourt.
Bethancourt is currently working on two more new albums, one of which is speculated to be a long-awaited full release of his Cabin Sessions album, which was never before released to the public. The other announced album has not been highlighted with details as of yet.
On October 6, 2010, Bethancourt released the cover art for an upcoming EP, which he has entitled, "B-Sides and Other Missed Opportunities EP." However, he did not announce a release date, simply stating that "As usual, I've completed the album artwork way sooner than the music so I hope to get this in your ears soon..." As promised, he followed up the announcement with the release of the extended play
on February 15, 2011.
On May 31, 2011, Bethancourt announced the "pre-release" for his second extended play for 2011, which he dubbed Suicide Prevention Hotline EP. This "pre-release" is merely twenty copies of the extended play in micro-cassette format, another addition to Bethancourt's recent trend of releasing his music through means which people may consider outdated or "retro."
Additionally, Alaska in Winter won the 9th annual Independent Music Awards
Vox Pop vote for best Dance/Electronica Album "Berlin".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, created by DavMasters, consisting of front man Brandon Bethancourt, who dropped out of art school in Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and reportedly,
"spent a semester in a tiny cabin out in the middle of nowhere Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
recording music on a laptop during the winter" and which later came to be known as the project, "Alaska in Winter". Bethancourt later went back to New Mexico and enlisted the help of fellow musicians, Zach Condon (Beirut
Beirut (band)
Beirut is an American band which was originally the solo musical project of Santa Fe native Zachary Francis Condon, and later expanded into a band. The band's first performances were in Wollaston, United Kingdom, in May 2006, to support the release of their debut album, Gulag Orkestar...
), Heather Trost
Heather Trost
-Biography:Trost was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is one of the two members of the American Balkan Folk band A Hawk and a Hacksaw, with Jeremy Barnes ....
(A Hawk and a Hacksaw
A Hawk and a Hacksaw
A Hawk and a Hacksaw is a band from Albuquerque, New Mexico, currently signed to L.M. Dupli-cation. The band consists of accordionist Jeremy Barnes, who was previously the drummer for Neutral Milk Hotel and Bablicon, and violinist Heather Trost...
), Hari Ziznewski (Rap
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
), Stefanie Lamm, Rosina Roibal, Hilary Bethancourt, and Naila Dixon to help with his later musical compositions. The band has garnered some of its fame in part due to Zach Condon's appearance on their debut album, Dance Party in the Balkans
Dance Party in the Balkans
Dance Party in the Balkans is the debut album of American electronic band Alaska in Winter, released in 2007.- Track listing :# "The Homeless and the Hummingbirds" – 2:57# "Your Red Dress " – 2:50...
.
Bethancourt has been living in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
where he recorded his second album, Holiday
Holiday (Alaska in Winter album)
-Track listing:# "We Are Blind and Riding the Merry-Go-Round" – 4:33# "Berlin" – 6:11# "Speed Boat to Heaven" – 5:07# "Highlander Pt. 1" – 3:56# "Highlander Pt. 2" – 3:31# "Knorrpromenade" – 4:09# "Streetgang Pt. 1" – 3:21# "Streetgang Pt. 2" – 2:52...
, which was released November 17, 2008 (Europe) / 18th (US). After releasing "Holiday," Bethancourt moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, where he currently resides.
Under his independent label, AIWM, Bethancourt released his third and most recent album, Space Eagle (the motion picture soundtrack)
Space Eagle (the motion picture soundtrack)
Space Eagle is officially the 3rd full length release from Alaska in Winter. It debuted 16 February 2010 via iTunes and a note published on Alaska in Winter's Facebook page. The album was announced as a limited release of 100 copies and in cassette tape form only...
, on February 16, 2010. Only 100 copies in cassette tape form have been printed, as announced by Bethancourt.
Bethancourt is currently working on two more new albums, one of which is speculated to be a long-awaited full release of his Cabin Sessions album, which was never before released to the public. The other announced album has not been highlighted with details as of yet.
On October 6, 2010, Bethancourt released the cover art for an upcoming EP, which he has entitled, "B-Sides and Other Missed Opportunities EP." However, he did not announce a release date, simply stating that "As usual, I've completed the album artwork way sooner than the music so I hope to get this in your ears soon..." As promised, he followed up the announcement with the release of the extended play
B-sides & Other Missed Opportunities
B-sides & Other Missed Opportunities EP is an official extended play release from Alaska in Winter. It debuted 15 February 2011 via Gogoyoko.com and a note published on Alaska in Winter's Facebook page. In addition to the aforementioned digitally-based release, a second versionis expected before...
on February 15, 2011.
On May 31, 2011, Bethancourt announced the "pre-release" for his second extended play for 2011, which he dubbed Suicide Prevention Hotline EP. This "pre-release" is merely twenty copies of the extended play in micro-cassette format, another addition to Bethancourt's recent trend of releasing his music through means which people may consider outdated or "retro."
Additionally, Alaska in Winter won the 9th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
Vox Pop vote for best Dance/Electronica Album "Berlin".
Discography
- Ivan Fyodorovich is Not a Real Person (self release/unreleased) (2005)
- Dance Party in the BalkansDance Party in the BalkansDance Party in the Balkans is the debut album of American electronic band Alaska in Winter, released in 2007.- Track listing :# "The Homeless and the Hummingbirds" – 2:57# "Your Red Dress " – 2:50...
(European release) (July 2007) - Dance Party in the Balkans (US release) (March 2008)
- Close Your Eyes- We Are Blind 7" split vinyl with Marianne DissardMarianne DissardMarianne Dissard is a singer, lyricist and filmmaker living in Tucson, Arizona, USA. "A central figure in Tucson's desert music community" with her unique hybrid of French Chanson and Americana, she is noted as a ....
(May 2008) - Remixes 12" vinyl (October 2008)
- HolidayHoliday (Alaska in Winter album)-Track listing:# "We Are Blind and Riding the Merry-Go-Round" – 4:33# "Berlin" – 6:11# "Speed Boat to Heaven" – 5:07# "Highlander Pt. 1" – 3:56# "Highlander Pt. 2" – 3:31# "Knorrpromenade" – 4:09# "Streetgang Pt. 1" – 3:21# "Streetgang Pt. 2" – 2:52...
(November 2008) - Space Eagle (the motion picture soundtrack)Space Eagle (the motion picture soundtrack)Space Eagle is officially the 3rd full length release from Alaska in Winter. It debuted 16 February 2010 via iTunes and a note published on Alaska in Winter's Facebook page. The album was announced as a limited release of 100 copies and in cassette tape form only...
(February 2010) - B-sides & Other Missed Opportunities EP (February 2011)
- Suicide Prevention Hotline EP (May 2011)
- Memorex Floppy Disk 7" Vinyl EP (October 2011)
- Cabin Sessions - Revisited (TBA)
External links
- Official MySpace
- Review of Dance Party in the Balkans on Pitchfork MediaPitchfork MediaPitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
- Review of Close Your Eyes - We Are Blind
- Regular Beat Records (European label)
- Milan Records (US label)
- Interview with Brandon Bethancourt