You’ve heard of Sierra Ferrell, the hottest rising star in any field of popular music, right? Your last chance to see her perform in a smaller venue went out the window about a half-year ago, I’d say. She’s selling out gigs everywhere now, mainly on a word-of-mouth and organic video-sharing basis.
I’m not a C&W connoisseur, and am frankly a bit stunned before her gifts, so I’ve not much to say here, analysis-wise. Just three points: she hails from West Virginia, has paid her dues, and was blessed with a voice perfectly suited to her cultivation of an old-timey muse.
Bluegrass-based songwriter country is her main style, but she does more covers than originals, and I particularly like this classic from the early-50s Western Swing style, with a newer group led by one of the Scruggs family members:
As for the dues, fans are now sharing re-discovered videos from her busking days:
She looks sorta standard-bohemian in that, but check out some of the other videos to see how she matches her 30s-40s-50s-era covers with a what-can-I-find-in-great-grandma’s-closet fashion strategy: it’s as often “miss” as it is “hit,” but it does signal a willingness to play the clown.
But whatever you think of that, it hardly matters, given that voice! Here she is covering a contemporary tune, and working with the awesome (Dan Auerbach -led and Mark Neill -influenced) Easy Eye studio.
P.S. I hint at the too-unsung achievements of Mark Neill because Sierra’s excellence is yet another vindication of my long-standing defense of “retro” recording techniques and general approaches, first laid out on the old Post-Modern Conservative blog in two posts, one about a Bangles song, and another one about the San Diego retro scene, the one out of which Neill produced his first two rock ‘n’ roll masterpieces, the debut Paladins album, and the Tell-Tale Hearts “Now Sound” E.P.
I thought I knew her but it wasn't till the last video you shared that I remember her off putting nose ring :) Much better without it.
That Paladins song is awesome! I guess I've been under a rock for a while as I don't remember hearing them round here. Thanks
Such a lovely young lady with a lovely voice...
And I agree with Castello... it's sad how the tattoo and ring fad has overtaken society.