Alaska in Winter is a musical project lead by front man Brandon Bethancourt who had his musical roots start in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he taught himself how to produce, record, and mix music as well as teaching himself how to play every single instrument he could get ahold of with the aim of being able to utilize every instrument but the guitar on his recordings. Bethancourt recorded under the moniker Opion Somnium for many years (1999-2004/2005). Having later relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico to enter art school, Bethancourt later dropped outl for a period of time and ventured to Alaska where he lived for half a year and unintentionally began recording a project in a cabin out in the middle of the woods... in Alaska... during the winter- hence the name "Alaska in Winter" that became known as Bethancourts new project. Bethancourt eventually headed back to New Mexico to re-work and add layers to his new project with the help of Zach Condon of Beirut (then Real People), Heather Trost (A Hawk and a Hacksaw), and a whole slew of other New Mexicans. These original recordings are still unrealeased.

In 2006 Bethancourt took a long journey through Eastern Europe in search of dance parties- when he came back to the states he recorded what came to be known as his "debut" "Dance Party in the Balkans" which also features Zach Condon of Beirut, Heather Trost, and a bunch of other nice folks from New Mexico (Rosina Roibal, Hari Ziznewski, Hilary Bethancourt, Stefanie Lamm, Naila Dixon, and Robots)

Dance Party in the Balkans was released in it's 2nd version (the first being lost due to burglary) in 2007 by European Label, Regular Beat. Over half a year later, the US finally catches on and the "debut" Dance Party... is released in it's 3rd version (with bonus tracks) by Milan Records. In the mean time, Bethancourt had graduated with an BFA in electronic arts, put out a self released album with his co-musician friend Hari Ziznewski under the name "Rap" and does his first North American AIW tour as support act for Beirut (fall 2007). By spring of 2008, AIW is off to Europe for it's first headlining tour. Bethancourt then relocated to Berlin, Germany for half a year where he recorded his "sophmore" album Holiday which was very heavily influenced by the Berlin electronic music scene. After that followed a slew of European tours and an occasional appearance in the U.S.
Today Bethancourt lives out of a suitcase full of electronics and dirty clothes somewhere between, Berlin, New York, and Santa Fe, well below the poverty line ,and is working as hard and as often as he can on not just one, but three albums. "Space Eagle: the motion picture soundtrack" is due sometime this winter on cassette tape.

 

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