New Mix: Jomoro With Sharon Van Etten, Naia Izumi, Laura Stevenson, More
Clockwise from upper left corner: Laura Stevenson, The Narcotix, Maddie Jay, Naia Izumi Courtesy of the artists hide caption
This week's All Songs Considered begins with a frenetic song from Laura Stevenson, an artist I know best for more tender, quiet music. Her self-titled album documents life-altering events, the birth of her child during the pandemic and the near-death of a loved one.
We have a few fascinating collaborations, one from Jomoro, the music of Joey Waronker and Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refosco. They were part of a project with Thom Yorke called Atoms For Peace. Jomoro features lots of guest artists, including Lucius. The song we play here features Sharon Van Etten on a vocal performance she says is "a leap for me sonically."
The other collaboration is by Gone to Color, the duo of Tyler Bradley Walker and Matt Heim. On their new record, we hear Wilco's Pat Sansone, Lambchop's Kurt Wagner and the song we play includes singer Jessie Stein from The Luyas.
I'm at a loss to describe The Narcotix. They describe themselves as a "West-African folk-art" band based in Brooklyn. Between the name and that description, I think that should pique anyone's interest.
The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest closed this week. So, it's now time for us to watch the entries and pick the winner. I'm also listening to the major label debut from our 2018 Tiny Desk Contest winner Naia Izumi. I play the track "Voodoo" from his upcoming release titled A Residency in the Los Angeles Area.
We end the show with musician and producer Maddie Jay, who I first heard backing Naia Izumi on his 2018 contest-winning tour. She's created her sound in part by purchasing old Casio keyboards, cassette recorders and other toy instruments. The result is a new EP titled CMYK.