New York-raised singer Linda Draper was inundated with music at an early age. Her father was an accomplished guitar virtuoso, who studied under Andres Segovia–while the rest of her family played or sang in various circumstances throughout her youth. She picked up a guitar in her teens and began to write her own songs. She would eventually come to share the stage with artists such as Kimya Dawson, Regina Spektor, and Mike Doughty of Soul Coughing. She recorded 4 LP’s with producer Kramer (Ween, Low) but decided to team up with fellow singer-songwriter Matt Keating for her latest record Edgewise, which feels very much a part of the traditions of artists like Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and Joni Mitchell–all artists who had a large influence on Draper in her musically formative years.
When asked to contribute to our On Deck feature, instead of compiling a list of records which have had a significant influence on her own music, Draper crafted a list of artists which she has been listening to lately. From the traditional folk stylings of Diane Cluck to the pop rock tendencies of The Last Internationale—and on to the tuned wine glass and electronic ambience of Jonny Rodgers—her choices reflect a various and inclusive set of influences and musical predilections. Check out her full list below in the latest installment of our On Deck series.
The Last Internationale
This band is just so fucking good. I saw them at Knitting Factory over the winter and at Arlene’s Grocery about a year before that. I have one of their first CDs “Choose Your Killer” that is just amazing. There is this song on that album “Crawling Queen Snake”. It rules. Their influences range from the Ramones to Buffy Sainte-Marie, to Joan Jett with just a splash of Rolling Stones. I can’t help but laugh a little when I hear them, because they are just so good, it’s almost a little funny.
“Crawling Queen Snake”:
Diane Cluck
This woman’s music and voice is downright transcendent. Self-described as “intuitive-folk”. She speaks her truth in every sense of the word. I’ve been listening to her music for over 10 years now. I heard her at Joe’s Pub a few months ago and it was one of the most mesmerizing live performances I’ve heard in a long time. She has a unique way of playing guitar, by finger picking/strumming high on the neck, that gives the guitar a kind of haunting timbre that fits her voice and music just right…you can see more what I’m talking about in the 2nd video clip (“I’m Your Here I Am”).
“The Turnaround Road”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDkMK7MOuTA
“I’m Your Here I Am”:
Fugazi
My husband is a real punk rock enthusiast. He introduced me to Fugazi, Bad Brains among others. He’s the one who turned me on to Fugazi’s “The Waiting Room” when we were first dating. Ever since then, it has been this song, in particular, that has helped me to endure life, liberty, and the pursuit of PMA.
“Waiting Room”:
Atmosphere
“Puppets” From the album When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold. I love how the momentum of this song builds up so gradually, the drums don’t really even kick in until more than half-way through the song. Then, just when you think the song can’t get any more dope, it does (enter back-up female harmony vocals)! God I love this track.
“Puppets”:
Jonny Rodgers
I just heard this guy Jonny Rodgers tonight perform with tuned wine glasses, guitar, and electronics and he totally blew my mind. The way he weaved each musical composition by playing each instrument (and wine glass) with such meticulous precision was just amazing. And his voice has such an incredible range – he sang with such clarity and depth. It was a really moving performance. One man genius band.
“Everything Is Yours”:
Linda Draper’s latest record Edgewise is out now.
