singer-songwriter posts

Priscilla Ahn

Thursday, August 16th, 2007 by Michelle

singer-songwriter // blithe folk pop

While I can appreciate any artist who can adeptly play and loop the harmonica, guitar and bells for a single song, and often incorporates the banjo, ukulele and even kazoo in her live show; part of me would expect this instrumental overkill to hide a less-than-stellar voice. But not Priscilla. Her voice can only be described as ethereal, and carries a sense of hope and innocence in songs whose lyrics aren’t always so untarnished. This, plus the hint of vulnerability in her music, makes you want to hold your breath and bask in her subtle storytelling. Close your eyes and have a listen.

Gentle wanderings between nostalgia and daydream.
Priscilla Ahn – Lullaby
Priscilla Ahn – Dream

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Federico Aubele

Friday, August 10th, 2007 by Julija

argentinian singer-songwriter // latin guitar // downtempo

The energy of Up, Bustle and Out, the passion of Gotan Project and the chill-out feeling of Thievery Corporation combine to form Federico Aubele’s rich sound collage. His hypnotic guitar lines and mellow rhythms cross and layer with jazz and Latin music, for a thrilling, yet soothing sound. Federico is releasing his long-awaited album Panamericana in September, a follow up to his seminal 2004 album Gran Hotel Buenos Aires. “En el desierto” perfectly captures the feeling of this passionate new album.

Distinctly Latin and sensual.
Federico Aubele – En El Desierto
Federico Aubele – Ante Tus Ojos
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Petra Jean Phillipson

Monday, August 6th, 2007 by Julija

british singer-songwriter // pop folk // folk-baroque

Although Notes On: Love (2005) is the debut album, recorded with the former Verve guitarist Simon Tong, Petra Jean Phillipson has years of experience in music, writing and collecting songs for about eight years. Unavoidably, her vulnerability and emotionality reminds me the beautiful sadness of Nina Nastasia, yet Petra Jean has the strength of Polly Jean Harvey and Shannon Wright. Her honest lyrics, haunting murmurs, choruses and melodies, and overall powerful sound, balances between spooky and bewitching.

Contemplative and compelling work.
Petra Jean Phillipson – I Want The Impossible
Petra Jean Phillipson – Play Play
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Bernadette Seacrest

Sunday, July 29th, 2007 by Julija

retro vocal jazz // torch singer-songwriter

Femme fatale, enchanting heroine of film noir, Bernadette Seacrest, creates mystery around her. Following jazz vocal standards and torch singing without the syrup sweetness in it, she sings to rip your heart out. Dark vintage jazz blends with the modern, drenches with her sultry voice and noir atmosphere of a smoky bar.

Sweet romantic demon.
Bernadette Seacrest And Her Yes Men – Money
Bernadette Seacrest And Her Yes Men – Sweet Salvation
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CéU

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 by Paul Irish

brazilian fusion // bossa

Just when you think that Brazil must have surely exhausted its supply of irresistibly jazzy, funky, sexy, soulful electro-pop singer-songwriters, a girl named CéU comes along to release an irresistible album full of samba, reggae, dub, electronica, love, heartbreak, chaos and sweet tunefulness. Her influences start with her musicologist father and spread out to genres like valsa, choro, soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, afrobeat and electrojazz. Isn’t it obvious this deserves a spot on Aurgasm? :)

Quite a mature sound for this Brazilian songstress’ debut
CéU – Rainha
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Elizabeth & The Catapult

Monday, June 11th, 2007 by Paul Irish

singer songwriter // folk pop

While I enjoy friends that are predictable, I prefer my music to surprise me. A heavy dose of dynamic songwriting will surely snag my attention, so when E&TC’s track “Momma’s Boy” slips from folk to Jon Brion pop to vaudeville and back, I can’t help but crack a smile. With an instrumentation including cello, viola, flugelhorn, bass, violins, and trumpets along with songs like “Waiting For The Kill”, Elizabeth et al. feel like America’s extroverted answer to Psapp.

1st in line from a strong, eclectic compilation.
Elizabeth & The Catapult – Momma’s Boy
Elizabeth & The Catapult – Waiting For The Kill
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Hannah Fury

Friday, April 20th, 2007 by Julija

american singer-songwriter // dark piano ballad

From the moment I first heard Hannah Fury’s piano playing, it drew me back to that primal facination with piano and female vocals. To me, it is a beautiful transformation of Tori Amos-like sounding glamour, wrapped into sophisticated and phantasmagoric tales. With a gentle touch of goth, Hannah’s music is not depressing, but it’s wonderful to listen to on a gloomy day.

An inventive interpretation of the traditional ballad.
Hannah Fury – Scarborough Fair
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Oren Lavie

Monday, April 9th, 2007 by Paul Irish

baroque pop // singer-songwriter

Immediately on hearing this track I thought of Badly Drawn Boy’s seminal album The Hour of Bewilderbeast. Oren Lavie has the clear, high-fidelity instrumentation I associate with the UK baroque pop scene; having string work similar to the cello I fell in love with in BDB’s “The Shining,” and a general gaiety about songwriting that respects the listener while treating them with a cute tune worth sharing. It’s a shame his album is still only released in Europe; apparently they’d rather put off us Americans with a $22.99 sale price. Silly recording industry. :-/

Warm, sunny, aural afternoon delight.
Oren Lavie – Her Morning Elegance
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Julie Feeney

Monday, March 5th, 2007 by Julija

vocal folk // avant-pop // irish singer-songwriter

It’s quite rare an artist is both amazingly creative, productive and has good management skills. Julie Feeney does it all: she composes, writes, sings and promotes all her songs, and it’s needless to say she is truly passionate about music. The critics immediately appraised Julie for her sparse, clean vocals. In Julie’s “Autopilot”, the xylophone sounds and the clever lyrics, frame a melody so immersing that it’s impossible not to listen to it over and over again. “You Bring Me Down” is melodic and never boring with its sweet eclecticism.

Like warm spring rain washing away the snow.
Julie Feeney – You Bring Me Down
Julie Feeney – Autopilot
Julie’s blog
Julie Feeney – Aching (music video)
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Jomi Massage

Monday, January 1st, 2007 by Julija

danish singer-songwriter // brooding // experimental

Jomi Massage is not the name of a woman. It’s an “electric massage device” from the early 1960’s, back when marketing such a device was rather daring. Songwriter Signe Hoirup Willie-Jorgensen wanted embody the sensual, touching and alluring feeling with her brave music as Jomi Massage. Listen to “Undressing Aloud” with your headphones plugged in: it is filled with sensuality, thrilling tenderness, and contains a certain vulnerable and fragile feeling. “Like weather” sounds melancholic, slightly moody and sorrowful.

Daring and baring, expressive and sensitive.
Jomi Massage – Undressing Aloud
Jomi Massage – Like Weather
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