Five Fab Femmes

I seemed to have regressed back into my high-school-Lilith-Fair phase, as I've been listening to a lot of female singer-songwriters lately. But this new batch of girls who've been serenading my eardrums are a far cry from my old Sheryl Crow and Dido records. These girls are innovative, bold, daring, and incredibly enchanting. So I introduce to you now five of my favorite females making waves in the music world.


1. Laura Marling
Let's start with the young lady whose name seems to be on the tip of every music fan's tongue these days - Laura Marling. This eccentric Brit - she's only 18! - writes folky, witty songs akin to Regina Spektor or Joanna Newsom. Her voice is absolutely lovely and soothing, but her lyrics have a worldly and somewhat smartass vibe to them. Any girl who writes lyrics like "I gave up morals when I took up booze" and sings those words so sweetly is definitely worth hearing. Her debut album, Alas I Cannot Swim, is already available in the UK and should be heading Stateside soon. Laura is also a member of the English folk-rock band, Noah and The Whale, who are also worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of Sufjan Stevens.

mp3:
Laura Marling - Typical
Laura Marling - New Romantic


2. Dawn Kinnard
Dawn Kinnard is a preacher's daughter who was raised in a small Pennsylvania town and grew up worshipping Elvis Presley. In fact, when she found out the King was no longer living, she famously told her parents she would never marry for the one man for her was already gone. That story goes a long way in telling you about Dawn's music. Her husky, dark voice is highly reminiscent of Lucinda Williams, and her songs have a somewhat Gothic melancholy air about them. However, her recent move to England has also informed her songs quite a bit - there's a tinge of old English folk music in her sound. Her debut album, The Courtesy Fall, should be on iTunes now.

mp3:
Dawn Kinnard - Clear the Way


3. Maia Hirasawa
I have to thank my friend Patrick for recommending Maia to me. I am now absolutely in love with her music. She reminds me a lot of her Swedish copatriot Jonna Lee, who I wrote about in an earlier post. While their music is indeed similar, Maia definitely has a bit more of a quirky side to her. Listening to her voice makes me feel like I'm walking down a snowy street in Stockholm at dusk arm-in-arm with a good friend, whispering and telling secrets. Maia is definitely now one of my favorite musical secrets, and now I'm whispering her name to all of you! Her song "Gothenburg" is my particular favorite - I'm a sucker for songs about cities. So far, her album is only available through her website or her myspace page, but it's WORTH it.

mp3:
Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
Maia Hirasawa - Mattis and Maia


4. Stephanie Dosen
Much like Dawn Kinnard, Stephanie Dosen grew up on a small town, although this time in Wisconsin, and recently relocated herself to the English countryside. It says a lot about her music that she is signed to the Bella Union label, which is owned by former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde. There is definitely a Cocteau Twins influence in her music, although Stephanie herself has said her biggest influences are Sarah McLachlan and Kate Bush. Her new album, A Lily for the Spectre, is out now.

mp3:
Stephanie Dosen - Vinalhaven Harbor


5. Sandrine
I don't know much about Sandrine, I just know that I really love her music. My friend Tony (the one-and-only tstarkmi to you last.fm'ers) recommended her music to me, and I owe him a huge thank you. He seems to believe she's even greater than Feist - I don't think I agree with that, but Sandrine definitely gives Feist a run for her money. Her album, Dark Fades Into Light, is out now.

mp3:
Sandrine - Let the Love