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\u002F2005). Having later relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico to enter art school, Bethancourt later dropped out 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