Southern Comfort

Born in Baton Rouge, but currently residing in Brooklyn, singer-songwriter Kristin Diable is an artist who makes music to escape to a different plane, one where the constraints of routine day-to-day life are mere afterthoughts.

Diable’s is a blend of rootsy rock stirred with spoonfuls of folk, soul and blues and sung with passion and fervor. And although Diable cites artists like Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, Etta James and many of the classics of our time as personal favorites, any influences one may ‘hear’ in Diable’s music are purely speculative. After all, no one sounds quite like anyone else.

Diable’s first solo recording came in the form of a six-song EP entitled As You Were in 2004. The tracks found here are the result of songs written between 2002 and 2003, a time when Diable was still adjusting to New York and all its surprising charms.

Predominately acoustic, the songs on As You Were are pleasant and easily absorbed for those willing to listen.
Songs like ‘Badly,’ with it’s hand-drum backdrop and warm delivery mark the album’s tone and the beginning of what is sure to be a long and steady career for Diable.

In 2005, Diable released her full-length debut, Shelter on her own Speakeasy label. The record possesses a much more robust sound and features Diable in a more focused, confident light. Backed by a full band, each of these songs are given the room to stretch.

‘Black Plague & Dynamite’ is the quintessential rock song and possibly the farthest Diable’s sound has traveled from the songs found on As You Were. Her voice purrs in and out of loud guitars and thumping drum beats. This is, undeniably, rock & roll.

Other songs shine too - ‘Sister Sadie’ provides further proof of Diable’s capable voice and testify to the genuine soul found in her songs.

The more I try to find exactly what I need
The more I realize I am just not ready
And I keep tryin’ to find just what I need
But maybe they’re not ready for me
                             –Kristin Diable

Diable is currently supporting the release of Shelter by regularly performing in and around New York.

To those interested in purchasing Shelter, Diable offers three copies for the price of two ($11.99 a piece) through the official site at Speakeasy Records. She’ll even autograph them for you.

Downloads:

Golden One
Badly
Black Plague & Dynamite
Sister Sadie

On Tour:

March 29, 2006 - 8:00pm
The Goldhawk
Hoboken, NJ

April 13, 2006 - 10:00pm
The Living Room
New York, NY

April 20, 2006 - 9:00pm
Triumph Brewing Co.
Princeton, NJ

May 5, 2006 - 10:00pm
The Living Room
New York, NY

May 6, 2006 - 8:00pm
World Cafe Live
Philadelphia, PA

WWW:
Kristin Diable - official site #1
Kristin Diable - official site #2
On The Bright Side Of The Road - Kristin Diable’s blog
Kristin Diable - official site at Speakeasy Records
Kristin Diable @ MySpace - official site at MySpace

This Woman’s Work: Martha Berner

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Martha Berner possesses true musical talent. Her honey-lined voice perfectly compliments her melodic songwriting, instantly creating a sense of warmth and comfort to everything she sings.

Released just last year on Machine Records, Berner’s debut album, …this side of yesterday, features ten incredible tracks, ranging from the richly textured ‘Lady of Plenty’ to the soft, poetic ‘Adore Me’; each song instantly placing Berner as a songwriter to take notice to.

This is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Womenfolk is proud to introduce the eleventh in its This Woman’s Work series with the inclusion of Martha Berner.

Good Fellows

There’s something incredibly special about the music of Christine Fellows. There is a beautiful isolation to her sound, as if it were created while she was on another world and then travelled back to Earth to show everyone what she has discovered.

Perhaps that is one reason why her music can be hard to describe. She doesn’t seem to fit into any specific genre; her music can seem strange at first, but it’s instantly captivating and almost always beautiful. A Canadian singer-songwriter, Fellows’ three albums feature an arsenal of rich melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and her own soft and pleasant voice.

Although Fellows has been making music since the early 90’s (she’s been a member in two different bands), it’s her solo work that she’s obviously personified by. She debuted with 2 Little Birds in 2000, a now out-of-print collection which feature contibutions by members of the Weakerthans and was produced by Paul James (Crash Test Dummies).

A couple of years later, Fellows followed-up 2 Little Birds with The Last One Standing, an album which again pairs her fascinating poetry with rich intrumentation. Cello and piano are prevelant throughout, which seem to only accentuate Fellows’ stories, giving the entire album a lush and exquisite glow. Standouts include ‘A Day In The Road,’ ‘Colourblind,’ and ‘Roadkill.’

Fellows’ latest is 2005’s Paper Anniversary, which musically, continues where The Last One Standing left off. The songs here are of equal caliber, but with some unique surprises.

The mid-tempo of ‘Face Down. Feet First’ begins with a computerized percussion and a keyboard intro, which instantly sets it apart from much of the rest of the album, musically recalling almost a Kate Bush quality.

Another noteworthy track, ‘Migrations,’ with its gentle cello and chimes, is my current favorite and highly recommended.

Fans of artists like Lisa Germano, Kristin Hersh and fellow Canadian Veda Hille will surely find joy in these songs.

Won’t you pick me up
I’m light as a feather
Though I’m not afraid
I am not brave enough to offer
                             –Christine Fellows

Christine Fellows is currently touring in support of Paper Anniversary.

Downloads:

A Day In The Road
Roadkill
Migrations
Face Down. Feet First.

On Tour:

March 16, 2006 - Tambaleo, Austin, TX
Official SXSW showcase

March 16, 2006 - Headhunters, Austin, TX
Six Shooter Records and Mint Records present a SXSW Hootenanny hosted by Carolyn Mark.
2-6 pm

March 19, 2006 - Houston, TX
Super Happy Fun Land

WWW:
Christine Fellows - official site
Christine Fellows - official site at Six Shooter Records
Christine Fellows - official site at Maple Music

Cover Girls, Vol. 14

Known as being one-half of the well known folk outfit, The Story (alongside Jonatha Brooke), singer-songwriter Jennifer Kimball covered the Neil Finn penned ‘Fall At Your Feet’ on her 1998 debut Veering From The Wave. Kimball’s clear voice and layered guitars allow the rendition to fall easily into her usual style of effortless rock, making it appear as if she had written the song herself.

For more of Ms. Kimball’s music, be sure to check out her recently released second album, Oh Hear Us.


Created by French producers Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin, the music of Nouvelle Vague stylishly mixes elements of bossa nova, jazz and new wave to create some truly unique sounds.

Their highly-lauded self-titled debut featured a collection of covers, each one sung by a select group of female vocalists who were unfamiliar with the original recordings. Featured here is XTC’s ‘Making Plans For Nigel,’ sung by French vocalist, Camille.


While there is nothing significantly unique about Patty Griffin’s rendition of the famous ‘Moon River,’ the sheer sound of her voice makes it special. Griffin’s instrument is strong and sharp, yet smooth and sweet and it seems there is nothing she can’t sing and make beautiful.

This version can be found on the second volume of the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s film, Elizabethtown.


A former session musician for bands like Siouxsie & The Banshees, Modern English and Peter Gabriel, celloist Caroline LaVelle usually shyed away from the spotlight, but managed to endure the high praise on her debut album, Spirit in 1995.

Her second album, the equally wonderful Brilliant Midnight followed six years later in 2001 and was later re-issued as Brilliant Midnight 2.0, featuring additional tracks including ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,’ a song made famous by Roberta Flack and written by the late Ewan MacColl.

LaVelle’s version is deep and smoky and is nicely contrasted to the synthesized backdrop. This is perfect Sunday afternoon mood music.


Downloads:
Jennifer Kimball - Fall At Your Feet
Nouvelle Vague - Making Plans For Nigel
Patty Griffin - Moon River
Caroline LaVelle - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face