- Wed, 2010-09-15 12:56
You’d be forgiven for reading the rest of this article in a half hearted fashion after you digest the following statement about 21 year old Alex Winston: 'here is another quirky, young, solo female singer who reminds us of Kate Bush.’ Sigh. I know. But Alex Winston feels different. Her debut single Choice Notes does indeed deem all of the previous comments true, but it also manages to retain an original streak of odd-pop without breaking into a chorus full of over-engineered melody. There are strange echoes looming in the background, the tinkles of piano don’t suggest a final addition of over-worked twee, and the track retains a simplicity that’s both endearing and catchy.
Following a lovely phone conversation with Alex (which was cancelled on day one because she’d been up all night in the studio – highly forgivable – and took place the next day with Alex speaking from under the duvet in her bed...) we learnt that this young popstress is feisty, determined and a slight control freak. The latter is a good thing for all fans and future fans of Alex Winston’s music. Firstly, she refuses to decide upon the fate of a song until she has laid down every single part on every single instrument herself (around 120 layers per-song) – which means she will only ever release something she’s completely, completely happy with. Secondly, she admires the career of Chuck Berry above all else, which means she’s in it for the long haul. Thirdly, she thinks that she’s a terrible musician, which means she’ll keep on practicing. And fourthly, she collects instruments and desperately wants to own a Pedal Steel, which means her songs will only ever expand with delightfully odd sounds.
In an industry currently swarming with ‘quirky-female-singer-songwriters’ Alex decided her most recent EP would be an EP of covers, a slightly risqué decision considering the competition out there, but one that paid off. The Basement Covers EP (so titled because all her work is done at home, in her basement) features cover versions of Mumford & Sons, Teddy Bears, The Rolling Stones, Jack Penate and Francis and the Lights. She also works closely with fresh new production duo The Knocks who have produced some huge slices of hip-pop this year, courtesy of Rihanna and Flo-Rida – find out more here www.myspace.com/itstheknocks
