Review: Scout Niblett with Manuok; February 28th, 2010; Bar Pink, San Diego
Scout Niblett
With a name like a doggy treat and wearing an awesome pair of clogs, Scout Niblett took the stage at Bar Pink on Sunday in front of a few dozen people. To me it was satisfying to see that the singer, mousy and demure, actually does look and act like a “Scout Niblett,” if anyone ever could. (more…)
Poetic Memory: Olivia Broadfield (List)
Given the slightest provocation, most people can’t wait to tell you about their favorite bands, albums, or influences. But when we asked Leicestershire, England’s Olivia Broadfield to compile this list, she demurred. “I don’t really have a very cool taste in music, but then neither is my music very cool, so I guess it makes sense. I managed to refrain from writing down Britney but only just.”
If you listen to her music (MP3: “Dont Cry“), you can tell that the modesty is unwarranted. Her style is a cross between (good) Regina Spektor and Feist, with a dash of electro-pop. A pianist since age six, and a self-taught guitarist since age 13, she also prides herself on her strong DIY ethic, which is impressive considering the richness of her sound. Olivia Broadfield’s debut album Eyes Wide Open is out today on Vagrant.
Poetic Memory is a regular Owl and Bear feature in which musicians disclose their influences—whether it’s albums, songs, artists, or something random. If you’re interested in being featured here, send us an email. (more…)
Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope
2007, Sire
Begin to Hope feels very homogeneous; every song seems to be structured to build upon the one before it.
Overall, though, the latest record from Regina Spektor is pretty standard fare for the young/hip/female/singer-songwriter genre: there is a lot of piano, a more-than-occasional driving beat, and of course a smoky voice right up front in the mix. Begin to Hope isn’t nearly as good as Fiona Apple’s Extraordinary Machine, but it’s nonetheless a great record, and that’s an unfair comparison.
