Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom (born January 18, 1982) is an American harpist, pianist, harpsichordist, singer and songwriter from Nevada City, California.

Career

Newsom studied composition and creative writing at Mills College, California.

After touring with Will Oldham, she was quickly signed to Drag City and released her debut album The Milk-Eyed Mender in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Newsom toured with Devendra Banhart and Vetiver.

Newsom's work has become prominent on the indie rock scene, and her profile has risen, in part due to a number of live shows and appearances on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC.

Her second album Ys (pronounced 'ees') was released in November 2006. The album features orchestrations and arrangements by Van Dyke Parks, production from Steve Albini, and mixing by Drag City label-mate Jim O'Rourke. On a road trip, Bill Callahan recommended she listen to the album Song Cycle by Parks, which led to him being chosen to arrange her work on Ys.

The album Ys would go on to rank 3rd in Pitchfork's Top Albums of 2006, and "Emily" the first track on the album was listed 9th on the website's Top Tracks of 2006.

Collaborations

Alongside her solo material she has played on records by Smog, Vetiver, Nervous Cop, Scott Indrisek, Vashti Bunyan and Golden Shoulders and played keyboards for The Pleased.

Style

Although her harp playing is not completely divorced from conventional harp techniques, she considers her style distinct from that of classically-focused harpists. She has been strongly influenced by the polymetric style of playing used by West African kora players. Her harp teacher, Diana Stork, taught her the basic pattern of four beats against three, which creates an interlocking, shifting pattern that can be heard on Ys, particularly in the middle section of "Sawdust & Diamonds".

The media have labeled her as one of the most prominent members of the modern psych folk movement, although she does not acknowledge ties to any particular musical scene. Her songwriting incorporates elements of indie pop, Appalachian music, avant-garde modernism, and African harp rhythms.

Many are struck by Newsom's unusual voice, which has shadings of folk and Appalachian pitch and phrasing. At some points, it has been known to hit unusually high frequencies, caused by smoky environments. Her voice has also been interpreted as weathered and, to some ears, child-like. Newsom has expressed disappointment at the child-like comparison.

Family members

Newsom's family includes her brother Pete, a fellow musician, and sister Emily, an astrophysicist who inspired her song "Emily" (and contributed backing vocals). She is also the 2nd cousin (once removed) of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. She is currently dating musician Bill Callahan, otherwise known as Smog.

Discography

Albums

• The Milk-Eyed Mender (Drag City, 2004)
• Ys (Drag City, 2006)

Early non-official recordings

• Walnut Whales (self-released, 2002)
• Yarn and Glue (self-released, 2003)

EPs

• Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band (Drag City, 2007)

Singles

• "Sprout and the Bean" (Drag City, 2004)

Contributions on compilations

• The Golden Apples of the Sun (Bastet, 2004) With the song "Bridges and Balloons" (Originally released on The Milk-Eyed Mender)

Bands, Collaborations and Guest Appearances

• Golden Shoulders - Let My Burden Be (Doppler, 2002)
• The Pleased - One Piece From The Middle (self-released, 2002)
• The Pleased - Don't Make Things (Big Wheel Recreation, 2003)
• Nervous Cop - Nervous Cop (5 Rue Christine, 2003)
• Vetiver - Vetiver (Dicristina Stair, 2004)
• Smog - A River Ain't Too Much To Love (Drag City, 2005)
• Vashti Bunyan - Lookaftering (Fat Cat Records, 2005)

Licensing of songs

• In 2004, her song "This Side of the Blue" was used on a British television commercial for Orange SA.
• In 2006, Newsom's song "Sprout and the Bean" was featured in a Melbourne tourism commercial.

External links

• jamiebergerwords.com - 2003 profile in West Coast Performer
• Joanna Newsom on dragcity.com - discography, music video, and information
• BBC Collective - includes streaming video
• Interview with Joanna Newsom at freewilliamsburg.com
• Interview with Joanna Newsom at Tiny Mix Tapes
• Joanna Newsom live at WFMU radio (RealAudio)