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…

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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. 9

Known for quite a few of their cover songs, singer Leigh Nash and her band, Sixpence None The Richer, have also taken a stab at ‘I Need Love,’ a song originally written and performed by the great Sam Phillips.

Like most of their catalogue, Sixpence don’t necessarily re-invent the songs they choose to cover. Instead, they create sweet and quaint versions using their signature brand of pop.

‘I Need Love’ can currently be found on their ‘best of’ collection, released in 2004.


Although she’s been making records since the early 80’s, singer-songwriter Marti Jones never achieved great commercial success. But her talent shouldn’t be denied.

On her 1996 release, My Long-Haired Life, Jones covers former ‘Til Tuesday frontwoman Aimee Mann’s ‘Put Me On Top’ with apparent ease. Jones manages to slightly stir the song to give it a nice country feel without it being overly twangy.


In 1995, For The Love Of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson, a tribute album for Harry Nilsson was released, featuring over twenty tracks from artists like Aimee Mann, Brian Wilson, Stevie Nicks and Ron Sexsmith. Boston artist Jen Trynin covered Nilsson’s classic ‘Mourning Glory Story,’ a song about homelessness, and met the song with her unmistakable voice and swirls of electric guitar.


Around the time Amanda Ghost was preparing her debut to arrive, her unique rendition of Madonna’s ‘Bad Girl’ could be found on Virgin Voices: A Tribute To Madonna, Vol. 1.

Ghost’s is considerably faster, but no less captivating. Serving up drum machines, a sped-up piano and Ghost’s husky vocals, the song is given a colder, more harsh sound. To some, the song may come off as erratic, but I find it surprisingly better than the original.


Downloads:

Sixpence None The Richer - I Need Love
Marti Jones - Put Me On Top
Jen Trynin - Mourning Glory Story
Amanda Ghost - Bad Girl