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Joanna Newsom

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Joanna Newsom at Roskilde Festival, 2005

Joanna Newsom (born 1982 in Nevada City, California) is a San Francisco harpist, pianist, harpsichordist, singer and songwriter.

She is one of the most prominent members of the modern psych folk movement, although she does not acknowledge ties to any particular musical scene.[1] Her songwriting incorporates elements of indie pop, Appalachian music, avant-garde modernism, African harp rhythms and a sensibility that some listeners describe as quirky. Many are struck by Newsom's unusual voice, child-like and weathered (at least one critic has compared it to Lisa Simpson's).

After touring with Will Oldham, she was quickly signed to Drag City and released her debut album The Milk-Eyed Mender. Shortly thereafter, Newsom toured with Devendra Banhart and Vetiver. Since then she has become a prominent indie musician and appeared live on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC.

Her forthcoming second album Ys is due out in November 2006, but was prematurely leaked months prior from an easily accessed download section of Pitchfork Media's web server. The album features orchestrations and arrangements by Van Dyke Parks, production from Steve Albini, and mixing by Drag City label-mate Jim O'Rourke.

Trivia

  • Newsom studied music and creative writing at Mills College.
  • She is a distant cousin of San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom[2]
  • She played keyboards in San Francisco bands Golden Shoulders and The Pleased.
  • She considers her harp style distinct from that of classically-focused harpists, and calls herself a "harper" rather than a harpist. However, her playing is not completely divorced from conventional harp techniques.
  • Kill Rock Stars released an album called "The Nervous Cop," with Newsom playing harp, alongside drummers Greg Saunier (from Deerhoof) and Zach Hill (from Hella).[3]

Discography

Albums
EPs
Singles
Bands, Collaborations and Guest Appearances

References