Same Girl, But Completely Different

Three years ago, Boston-based songwriter Tracy Bonham, released her third, and quite possibly, best album to date with Blink The Brightest. Since its release, the accomplished violinist hasn’t slowed down. Read more

High Notes, Vol. 1

In addition to Womenfolk’s ‘Cover Girl’ series, I’ve decided to start ‘High Notes,’ a new monthly (-ish) post that will feature short introductions to newly discovered artists, news briefs about upcoming albums and projects, or updates to artists previously featured on Womenfolk.

Let your musical discoveries begin…

* * * * *

A Womenfolk favorite, singer-songwriter Jen Trynin can now add author to her list of accomplishments.

Trynin has just published her first book, a memoir, titled Everything I’m Cracked Up To Be: A Rock & Roll Fairy Tale. Witty, sharp and extremely entertaining, the book charts Trynin’s remarkable (albeit brief) journey through the world of the music business where broken promises are as plentiful as bad radio interviews with clueless disc jockeys.

Lauded by everyone from Entertainment Weekly to the Onion and fellow songwriters like Aimee Mann and Adam Schlesinger, Everything I’m Cracked Up To Be is a book you’ll be glad to own.

For excerpts read by Ms. Trynin herself, be sure to check out her newly updated official site.

And for a nice flashback of Trynin’s music, listen to ‘Around It,’ one of many stand-outs from her second album, 1997’s Gun Shy Trigger Happy.


Jes Hudak is a talented singer-songwriter-pianist based in New York whose freshly released demo features many incredible songs. One of which, ‘No One In The World,’ is featured here. Instantly memorable, Hudak’s voice is strong and clear and the song seems destined for radio if given the right springboard.

You can find Hudak’s untitled demo available through her live shows and more samples can be found on her official site as well as on MySpace.

Hudak’s sophomore album, Tiny Dream is also available through CD Baby.


The gene pool in the Zeitlyn family is blessed with heaps of musical talent. Like her sister Mirah, Emily Zeitlyn and her folk outfit, the Weeds, create some of the most unique folk currently heard.

Their debut album, The Faraway Flying Of Broken Beating, released in 2004, is available through K Records and features ‘See Saw,’ a song whose blend of country/folk is presented with Zeitlyn’s smooth vocals.


On her upcoming album, The Sound Of You And Me, Mississippian Garrison Starr continues her brand of rock-infused country. The formula is similar to her previous albums, but no less effecting. A talented songwriter and powerful live performer, Starr hasn’t lost her shine and continues to win fans over with every release.

Featured here is ‘No Man’s Land,’ a highlight to be found on The Sound Of You And Me when it hits the shelves on March 13.

You can also see Starr on tour. Check her MySpace page for current dates and venues.


Downloads:
Jen Trynin - Around It
Jes Hudak - No One In The World
The Weeds - See Saw
Garrison Starr - No Man’s Land

Cover Girls, Vol. 7

Bree Sharp covered Don Henley’s classic ‘The Boys Of Summer’ on her excellent, if underrated, sophomore album, More B.S.. The result is nearly five minutes of finely crafted rock that would no doubt make Mr. Henley proud.


Even though ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’ has been covered many, many times, Trish Murphy’s rendition is interesting in that it doesn’t seem to add too many flourishes to the classic track. Of course there is a modernized instrumentation (namely harsher-sounding electrics), but the foundation remains the same and Murphy pulls it off swimmingly. Murphy’s version can be found on her 1999 album, Rubies On The Lawn.


It seems to me that everything Garrison Starr does is packed with such raw power, it’s extremely difficult to not be affected. An accomplished guitar player with a true love for her craft, Starr tackled the late George Harrison’s ‘Taxman’ on her 8-song EP, 24-7.


It’s a bold move anytime someone covers the music of PJ Harvey, but Boston violinist/singer-songwriter Tracy Bonham succeeds with an aggressively raw, live cover of ‘50ft. Queenie.’ Recorded live for the WFNX ‘Live at Fort Apache’ series and released as a rare b-side on the Australian import single for Bonham’s The One, one listen of Bonham’s shrieking violin will surely have you momentarily believing Harvey was on-hand performing with her.

Downloads:

Bree Sharp - The Boys Of Summer
Trish Murphy - These Boots Are Made For Walking
Garrison Starr - Taxman
Tracy Bonham - 50ft. Queenie (live)