The first time I heard Alex Winston’s voice, I thought it was delicate and quirky. After a few more listens, it was clear that there is some power behind it too (she’s a trained opera singer). Alex took a few minutes to answer a few questions for the Friday 5.

Sister Wife seems to be the song put you on people’s radar. What is the inspiration/meaning behind it?
I like to take basic human instincts and feelings and tell colorful stories with them. I’ve always been really fascinated by people that do things differently than myself and try to find a common thread that connects us. In this case, that thread is the feeling of jealousy and the willingness or unwillingness to compromise.

You have said that you don’t typically listen to your own music if you can help it. Why?
I guess I just don’t find it productive. I never really feel like a song is finished and sometimes the easiest thing for me to do is cut myself off from it and move forward or else I’ll just get stuck in the minor details and revisions when sometimes its just best to leave things the way they are.

If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Right now I’ve been listening to a lot of country, so I’d have to say Townes Van Zandt or Hank WIlliams.

What are you listening to now?
I’ve been loving the new Mystery Jets album and I recently saw Jonathan Richman play for the first time, which was pretty incredible, so hes been on heavy rotation as well.

What’s in store for the rest of 2012?
I’m currently working on a Western album called Deviled Egg, which hopefully I’ll be releasing sometime early next year. Other than that, hopefully touring!!

Anais Mitchell- Coming Down
Natalie Prass- You Didn’t Know
Katya Chorover- Off the Map
Emily and The Woods- Steal His Heart
Amy Ray- Glow
Madi Diaz- Let’s Go
Alex Winston- Locomotive
Sarah Williams White- Hide the Cracks

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Chairlift- Bruises
The Kills-The Last Goodbye
Straylings- Wallpin
SolarSolar- Closer to the Sun
Alex Winston- Choice Notes
Stars- Changes
Eleanor Friedberger- I Won’t Fall Apart On You Tonight
Selah Sue- Peace of Mind

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Kimbra- Good Intent
Clare Maguire- Hope There’s Someone (Antony and the Johnsons cover)
Lana Del Rey- Video Games
Alex Winston- Fire Ant
Plumb- Damaged (2011)
Wye Oak- Holy Holy
Marina and the Diamonds- Radioactive

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Cover Show!
Stephanie Lauren- Dog Days Are Over (Florence + The Machine)
Eliza Doolittle- F You (Cee-Lo Green)
Alex Winston- The Cave (Mumford and Sons)
Dolly Parton- Stairway To Heaven (Led Zepplin)
Mindy Smith- Jolene (Dolly Parton)
Amber Rubarth- Losing My Religion (R.E.M.)
Mr. Little Jeans- Single Ladies (Beyonce)

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A lot of great music for your ears today!

Russian Red- They Don’t Believe
CocknBullKid- Asthma Attack
I Was Totally Destroying It- Come Out Come Out
Elastic Summer- Disaster
Alex Winston- Sister Wife
Ellie Goulding- Under the Sheets
Now, Now Every Children- Cars
The Narcoleptic Dancers- Rastakraut
Sara Jackson- Holman- Come Back To Me
Cyndi Lauper- Lay Me Down

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