Latest musical discovery

Laura Veirs has been around for a while. I've heard her music a few years back, but didn't really pay attention. I'm not much a fan of female folky singer-songwriters. Its very often some girl bitching about life over an aggregated chord progression that was first played 40+ years ago when the folkies first began to crawl out of the woodwork (literally probably) and pretending to be rock stars. Lest I get accused of being sexist, let me make clear that I find male folk-rockers are a bunch of ninny tits who spend far too much time singing about how goddamned sensitive they are. And don't try to tell me it isn't an affectatious little attempt to bang by the dirty haired little wood-nymph dancing barefoot in the audience.

Fuck you!

Where was I? Right, Laura Veirs. No, not a dull folky chick at all. As a matter of fact her music is varied and eclectic and...for lack of a better word, GOOD. Even the songs where its just her and an acoustic guitar, she keeps things interesting by way of shifting dynamics, interesting, sometime shambling rhythms, pretty melodies that aren't just whining based around minor keys (ugh!), and a wonderful vocal delivery that includes smart lyrics and a crisp and somewhat nasally voice. She even picks up an electric guitar rocks out on a few songs. Her spare playing style really complements the music.

I first heard her singing a duet with Colin Meloy of the Decembrists, on their song "Yankee Bayonet" which is about a dead confederate soldier and his lover. Very pretty song, and typical Decembrists 19th century lit-rock style.

Take a listen; you won't regret it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw7cSfNJCWQ

After hearing this, I looked and looked for who the female singer was on that song. I managed to find some snippets of uninspired acoustic songs and lost interest. That was 2006 or so.

Fast forward to January 19th, 2010. I was driving into work and had the radio set to KXCI, the only station in Tucson (other than NPR) which I can stomach, when I heard this

(Link on this page) http://endhits.portlandmercury.com/endhits/archives/2009/10/14/laura-veirs-is-wide-eyed-totally-legless

I can't stop listening to this song. I love the bouncy shambling guitar bouncing up and down like waves over the wandering, almost drowsy sounding xylophone filling in the gaps. The whale-song guitar parts give this sing that northwest coast flavor that makes a good song great. My only complaint is that its such a short song.

After repeated listens I went trawling youtube for more, and dug out a few favorites.

Certain Someones is probably my other favorite by her

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3zCg3jMqDw&feature=related

Cast a Hook In me - more folky, but folky done right (see above)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZGheh28D7o&feature=related

go forth and find some more on your own. Better yet, support talent and go buy a Laura Veirs album or two. You cheap bastard