High Notes, Vol. 2

Anyone yearning for something truly unique should give the music of Anne Heaton a try. Her folk music is remarkably original and peppered with her bubbly personality.

For a taste of what makes Heaton so special, be sure to take a listen to ‘Hey New York,’ a track performed live by the New York based artist and found on her second full-length album, Give In. This track will surely put some zing into your music collection.

Sacramento-based band Deluxe began as a solo project for singer-songwriter Katrina Skalland, who had spent most of her life singing and performing in chamber choirs, school orchestras and musical theatre.

In 2004, Skalland began performing under the name Deluxe at local venues and soon found herself immersed in the scene, making new friends and like-minded musicians including Dave Middleton and Justin Gonzales who originally hailed from Boston, Ian Bone of Vacaville, California and Jay Shaner and Emily Sault of Sacramento.

The following year, Skalland and her new friends released Deluxe’s debut, Mary’s Got Seven, But I’ve Got Ten, a title which is in reference to the story of ‘Mary’s Seven Sorrows,’ and whose songs reflect the darker moments in Skalland’s life.

The band’s influences range from classic jazz standards and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to groups like the Pixies and Led Zepplin.

Featured here is the track ‘Pretty Girl Parade,’ an addictive, foot-tapping experience which will surely have you begging to hear more from this remarkable band.

The musical duo of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen, known to many as the Weepies, have been creating beautiful music together for half a decade.

Theirs is a sound that is sweet, smooth, accessible and seemingly effortless; a reincarnation of sorts of the kind of music the legendary Carpenters brought us.

On their second album, Say I Am You, the Weepies continue with their sunny blend of easy-on-the-ears folk with stand-outs including ‘World Spins Madly On,’ ‘Suicide Blonde,’ and ‘Gotta Have You,’ which is featured here.

Previously featured on Womenfolk is Chicago-based singer-songwriter, Rachel Ries, whose music I can’t seem to get enough of.

Ries creates a very delicate, sweet folk which easily takes its listeners to a hot summer day on the back porch swing with a glass of lemonade.

Featured here is a live version of ‘We’ll All Be The Same,’ recorded at Chicago’s very own Schuba’s on February 7, 2005. The original version can be found on Ries’ debut, For You Only.


Downloads:
Anne Heaton - Hey New York (live)
Deluxe - Pretty Girl Parade
The Weepies - Gotta Have You
Rachel Ries - We’ll All Be The Same (live)