posted by Jessica on April 27, 2012
Chicago Cubs’ fans have no enviable fate, but JD McPherson’s propulsive performance of “North Side Gal” on opening day had listeners all over the city ready to root for Wrigley Field. The first single off McPherson’s debut Signs & Signifiers is a wicked ride that’s rooted in swinging R&B and rock ‘n’ roll with up-to-the-minute attitude.
Originally recorded at Chicago’s Hi-style studio, an all-analog space built by producer and bassist Jimmy Sutton, Signs & Signifiers was re-released by Rounder Records on April 17th. McPherson was recently kind enough to chat with me about the experience of recording the album. “The quality of the old rhythm mics and tape equipment had a lovely impact on the warmth of the sound,” he said by phone. “On an atmospheric level it was cool stuff to be around. Similar to the equipment, the studio has an antiquey, industrial vibe right down to Jimmy’s record collection. There’s a strong aesthetic quality, which is good because we didn’t really leave the studio during the recording process!”
Growing up, the Oklahoma native was as much influenced by the American roots heritage as punk and surf rock. “There is a ton of great music out of Oklahoma and not everyone is influenced by Bob Willis and Woody Guthrie or the fact that Buddy Holly recorded at Tinker Air Force Base, but it definitely affected me. On the other hand, Jimmy’s first concert was The Ramones and my favorite band was The Pixies.”
For all of its rollicking rhythm and throwback hat tips, Signs & Signifiers doesn’t feel dated but rather timeless. “Early 50’s R&B is the drive and focus we were excited about on this album, says McPherson. “Yet most of the comments we receive agree that the influence feels contemporary. People can tell we’re not coming from a place of falsehood, and that we want to write songs that are relevant today.” This earnestness, it seems, is what invigorates these musical traditions – a return to what made people rock in the first place.
On the seemingly heady album title for an enjoyably forthright style, the former teacher admits to deliberately jabbing his art school background. “In the ideals of post-modern art education you get trained to have to analyze things in code. With this album I was trying to make something that is pretty straightforward.” McPherson’s degree in experimental film and MFA was put to use in the making of videos for “North Side Gal” and the soulful, lingering “A Gentle Awakening.” He and Sutton shot the videos, which he then edited. Although McPherson’s visual arts pursuits are on hold at the moment, he did recently direct a video for Nick Lowe.
Chicago has become something of a second home to JD McPherson. “In an overarching way, it was the perfect place to record this album.” He mentions the musical legacy of the city’s blues tradition, Chess Records, Vee-Jay and the “spiritual sense of influence” their records had on his music. “Chicago is my favorite American city,” he says. “It’s comfortable because it’s still Midwestern but has incredible culture and the best food.”
As for all those aspiring north side gals, the title of his breakout single is not specific to the Windy City. “It can be about Chicago,” McPherson acknowledges, “but it can also be about the north side of Tulsa or Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It’s for everyone.” McPherson’s music is for everyone – everyone who resonates with a distinctive style and the infectious abandon of new-old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
JD McPherson – North Side Gal (Downloaded 140 times)
JD McPherson – A Gentle Awakening (Downloaded 116 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Bluesy • Male vocal • Soulful • Vintage
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Loading ...posted by Jessica on April 1, 2012
{photo by Jessica Mlinaric}
After five quiet years without touring, Fiona Apple took the Lincoln Hall stage this week without a word and “Fast as You Can” she was back. The announcement of her mini-tour caused frenzy among fans, who assaulted the venue’s servers in unprecedented numbers, crashing the site in many cases and causing an outrage among the incensed and ticketless. Few situations send my heart rate into such a palpitated state as the purchasing of prized concert tickets, but I made damn sure I would see Fiona. A second show was added to the tour’s Chicago stop only, and those of us lucky enough to see the songstress can attest her live concert was as captivating as ever.
The powerful performance included classics like “Sleep to Dream” and “On the Bound,” closing with “Criminal.” Just as alluring were three new songs Fiona debuted from her upcoming album due out this June, “Anything We Want,” “Valentine,” and “Every Single Night.” The audience shouted its admiration between songs and Fiona came out of her reverie to smile in thanks. She infused the show with her brand of whimsy, breaking into the occasional jig and featuring an old kitchen pipe as a percussion piece.
Fiona’s reflective and recalcitrant music shaped my adolescence while my classmates memorized boy band dance moves. If you had asked me my favorite poems in junior high, I would have named Fiona’s When the Pawn… and Prufrock, budding lit major that I was. I imagine more than one high school relationship argument was fueled by overexposure to her lyrical indignation on a given day. The first time I saw Fiona Apple live involved driving five hours across Ohio (including a stop to pick up my cousin, a fellow Fiona-phile) and ending up back on campus just in time to hand in a final exam. That show was the most passionate, eloquent, and spellbinding performance I had ever seen, and more than one audience member was moved to tears.
Her performance this week at Lincoln Hall was just as enthralling. Fiona does not just sing; it’s an entirely visceral enterprise as if the crowd is privy to a physical and emotional internal journey she’s experiencing number by number. While her vocals range from her characteristic sultry growl to heart-shattering highs and belts of bravado, the singer swirls and paces onstage. Fiona is perhaps most emotive when commanding the piano keys, framed by the glow of a few red church votives. Otherwise her hands wring, tug at her skirt, flutter through the air, or clutch the microphone with white knuckles, as when crooning “”I just want to feel everything, so I’m gonna try to be still.”
Fiona Apple gives all of herself when performing; rendering fans all the hungrier for the rare times she shares her unrivaled talent onstage. Connecting with some of her old songs that are such a part of me and revisiting them with new insight was all the more poignant. No matter the absence, Fiona Apple’s power, honesty, and grace are always resonant, always craved as long as she is willing to share them – the mark of a truly extraordinary machine.
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Female vocal • Singer-Songwriter • SXSW2012
(6 votes) Loading ...posted by Jessica on March 16, 2012
Oh to be young, talented, British, and infinitely cool – the sibling trio Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis deliver on so many levels. With a dynamic sound that channels blues, swing, R&B, jazz, Hawaiian, rock, and country, they seize the exuberance of another era. If you’re interested in sparking some fire in your step and some snap in your shimmy, jam to their sophomore album Smoking in Heaven.
The multi-instrumental Durham siblings can play pretty much anything, including piano, harmonica, lap steel, banjo, ukulele, accordion, double bass, glockenspiel, xylophone, and trombone. Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis hop from instrument to instrument mid-piece and take turns on lead vocals. Gigging together since they were kids (Kitty was still in single digits!), the North London sibs even invite their parents to back them onstage.
The vintage charm of Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis extends beyond their spirited sound and superb personal style to the recording process. Their albums are produced in the family’s home studio using legacy equipment like ribbon microphones, analog tape, and absolutely no computers. Give “I’m Going Back,” a listen, check out the “Don’t Make A Fool Out of Me” video, and enjoy the energy and authenticity of this captivating family band.
Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis – Im Going Back (Downloaded 228 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Bluesy • Danceable • Jazzy • Lo-Fi • Male vocal • Vintage
(9 votes) Loading ...posted by Jessica on January 9, 2012
In 2011, the best actually was saved for last. I couldn’t tell you how many shows I saw last year, because despite experiencing epic aural moments and multiple all-weekend festivals, all was forgotten in the wake of Alabama Shakes. This time last year the Athens, AL quartet was working day jobs, and by this time next year they’ll be sitting on top of the world, propelled by their exuberant blend of blues, soul, and rock and roll.
Alabama Shakes’ live show is a significant experience. Vigorous, soulful grooving based in Southern rock, their skillful performance is passionate, even yearning. You feel as though they’re leaving nothing behind, and the eruption of front woman Brittany Howard’s earnest and powerful vocals awaken a contemporary Janis Joplin or Otis Redding. The show kicked off with “Hold On,” and included “You Ain’t Alone,” both off of this year’s self-titled EP.
After their show at Chicago’s Hideout (see video below), I expressed my awestruck admiration to Ms. Howard and drummer, Steve Johnson. They reported that Alabama Shakes’ first full-length album is recorded and slated for release this spring, and that the band is excited to showcase a more rock-fueled edge to their sound. Conversation turned to touring, and I discovered that Johnson’s sister attended my alma mater some 10 miles from where he grew up. Familiarity is the thing about Alabama Shakes. There’s no artifice, slickness, or attempt at reinvention, but a genuineness and devotion to a resonant musical heritage we can all get down to.
Alabama Shakes – Hold On (Downloaded 665 times)
Alabama Shakes – You Aint Alone (Downloaded 379 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Americana • Big Sound • Rollicking
(8 votes) Loading ...[...] Read the rest of my review and get MP3s at Indieball.com. [...]
Great post. Couldn’t agree more. Looking forward to the full release in the spring. And the chance to experience them live once again
wow, i just was in nashville so do appreciate the southern vibe and rawness of this band. And the front woman kicks mega derrier too! Really brings back the classics.
[...] For more on Alabama Shakes, check out my review of their December show at The Hideout for Indieball. [...]
March 27th, 2012 at 9:06 am
[...] the rest of my review and get MP3s at Indieball. Share this:ShareFacebookTwitterStumbleUponEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]