Classically trained in opera and raised on the whole hearted Americana only found in the Midwest, Detroit born musician Alex Winston has taken her musical talent to pay homage to five songs by such notable bands as the Rolling Stones, Jack Penate, Teddy Bears, Fracis & The Light, and Mumford & Sons.
Playing all the guitar, piano, and drum parts on the EP, Alex recorded The Basement Covers on her own in- you guessed it- her basement. Taking cues from such influences as Feist, Lykke Li and Sheryl Crow, Alex Winston’s own songwriting is of a playful, dreamy nature, which she demonstrate on Choice Notes, her newly released 7” vinyl that made available through HeavyRoc Music. With a voice holding the same eerily pixie like quality as Joanna Newsom but a penchant for much more playful melodies along the same line as Feist, Winston is a hybrid of styles that sets her apart from the more traditional sound we’ve all come to associate with a female singer/songwriter. Whether it be with a blithe “oh-oh” in her original song “ Choice Notes” or a goosebumps inducing belt covering Mumford & Sons’ “White Blank Page”, Winston proves herself as an up and comer you don’t want to miss out on.
Download The Basement Covers EP from Alex Winston Here
Alex talked with Reviewsic to share her biggest influences, favorite Detroit bands, and who she’d hit the road with on her very own dream tour.
Reviewsic: What is the back-story behind your start in music?
Alex Winston: I started playing guitar at around 10 and starting singing opera soon after that. I remember writing songs around that age as well but it wasn’t until high school that I started to take music seriously.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Alex Winston: Everything that came out of Detroit pre-2001, everything Phil Spector ever produced, and the Cardigans.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Alex Winston: Actually there are about ten but I’d really love to play pedal steel. Unfortunately, its way easier said than done. I love instruments and collecting them has become a bit of a hobby for me. I just got an accordion and I’m slowly learning how to play that, but a pedal steel would just be amazing.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Alex Winston: I’ve been really into the new Black Keys album “Brothers” as well as the Francis and The Lights album. Also, lots of The Faces during the summer months!
Alex Winston: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Reviewsic: PJ Harvey. She has been extremely influential to me and I’d kill to collaborate with her. I envy the way she writes and I really look up to her as an artist. I sound absolutely nothing like her, but if I could become half the songwriter that she is I’d be happy.
Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
Alex Winston: I had a boyfriend take me to see Bjork for my birthday once. We were in the second row and the entire show was pretty breathtaking.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Alex Winston: Since I just recently moved to NYC from Detroit, I still feel a bit more connected to the local music scene back home. Some of my favorites right now are Lightning Love, The Hounds Below and Gun Lake.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Alex Winston: I would have loved to have done an old school tour with Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Little Richard. I probably would have wound up being Jerry Lee’s child bride #2!
Reviewsic: Tell us about the The Basement Covers EP - what made you choose the songs you did?
Alex Winston: The Basement Covers EP is literally just me having fun. I had no plans to release the EP, or even to record the covers at all. It just sort of happened. I’d be sitting listening to a song, and I’d start to play along. Next thing thing I know, Its 8 am, my roommate is getting ready for work and I’m trying to record drums on the wall in my shower! Its just a very enjoyable thing for me. I like putting my own spin on songs that I love but I’m even more about the challenge of working with garageband and my little computer microphone to try to make something someone’s going to want to listen to.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as a musician at this point as opposed to when you first began playing?
Alex Winston: When I was younger I was too easily influenced by what people told me was right for me musically. I learned a lot, but it was all pretty safe and generally not a lot of fun. Now I will try anything and its really helped me to pinpoint the direction I want to take my music. I also appreciate the entire process of making a recording way more than I did when I was younger.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities and/or venues to play?
Alex Winston: My favorite cities are very different from my favorite cities to play in. At this point, I’ve been fortunate enough to tour a lot of the US and I’ve played in all different types of venues, but I’ve found that the most enthusiastic and appreciative audiences have been in small towns. In places like NYC and LA where
music is extremely accessible, I think people take it for granted. I’m generalizing, but I get so bummed when I go to shows and people are arms crossed or staring at their phones. One of my all time favorite shows was in Canton, MO. So theres that.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst music moments so far in your career?
Alex Winston: When I was 19 I played at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville where the grand ole opry was held and I was so nervous because its such a musical landmark. I completely bombed the show, wrong lyrics, wrong chords. I think I made Patsy Cline and Hank Williams roll over in their graves that night!
Reviewsic: What are a few items essential to your “tour survival kit”?
Alex Winston: Hmm. I’ve never really had one but vitamins are important. Gotta have your b12s!!
Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year?
Alex Winston: I’m hoping maybe a full-length record and lots of show playing!
Tags: Album Review, Free Music, Interview, New Release
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