It would seem that I'm a little behind the times on Jesca Hoop, having just done a Google search in order to find out a bit more about her. But if I've only just heard of her, I presume that there are also a few of you who haven't come across her yet either?
Hoop's debut album Kismet was released on September 18th 2007. I have just ordered it, after listening to her for the first time yesterday, so I'm afraid I can't offer an album review yet...but from the songs I have heard on her MySpace page and her website (warning: when you open the latter it is noisy, for those of a nervous disposition out there...crashing waves, as opposed to crashing drums, noisy, but if you aren't expecting it...) I was convinced to make a purchase.
Her sound reminds me of White Magic and Josephine Foster, with a bit of Imogen Heap innovation, some Regina Spektor kookiness, and some Aimee Mann vocals thrown in. The rhythms are offbeat and unconventional...but not self-consciously so. Raised Mormon in California, growing up singing old folk songs, murder balleds and church hymns with her family, Jesca eventually threw off her shackles to explore the wilderness of Arizona, before returning to civilization and a job as a nanny for Tom Waits (which she did for 5 years). It would seem that he forwarded one of her demo recordings to Nic Harcourt, who then played it on the radio, where it became a frequent request.
This is about all I know so far...but I am excited! Have a listen for yourself...I think you may well be won over by the inventive charm of the songs below.
Jesca Hoop - Money
Jesca Hoop - Enemy
Jesca Hoop - Seed of Wonder
3 comments:
Oooh, i really like those 3 songs so i'll have to check out more of her work...How did you hear about her?
GREAT aren't they? I'm dead excited about her album arriving, so I can give it a full listen through! I particularly like Enemy...and Money actually! How did I hear about her...hmmm, I'm not sure. Just in my ramblings about the internet I think. Since I have done, I've found that LOADS of people have blogged about her...I was late in the game, but good music is worth sharing right?
As for the Desert Island Disc question...I am holding off responding whilst comments are still coming in! :o)
Yeah, money is definitely a sweet tune! I just checked out her myspace page and it seems like she has quite a large following...Oh, how would we ever get by without the internet? I suppose it was all about word-of-mouth, zines, shows, and Much Music (MTV version in Canada) back in the day, eh?
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