Man, since I posted the latest podcast my life went into fast forward. I bought a new bike in the form of a fully rigid, single-speed 29er. It’s a Motobocane and the price was right, so I can goof off without being too fiscally invested in the setup.  And if I decide I hate it, I can throw slicks on it and call it a commuter. Then the wife and I bought a new car and on top of all that our puppy had surgery, so we had to babysit him all weekend. What does all of this mean to you? Well, nothing except that through all of that, the one thing that didn’t happen is finding time to commit to ninebullets. Hopefully we’ll get through the week, but there may be a little quiet time. Okay, enough about my life; let me tell y’all about a record.

This has been a pretty busy beginning of 2009 for Alela Diane. Back in March she released her fourth album, To Be Still, on Rough Trade Records (9b post here). Now, a mere month later, she’s on the verge of releasing a collaboration with Eddie Bezalel under the moniker of Headless Heroes. The album is a collection of covers of more obscure songs chosen in hopes of promoting further investigation into the original source.

For me if Alela Diane’s involved that pretty much makes it a must listen. She has one of the best voices in Americana music right now. The album comes out May 19, here are some samples:

Headless Heroes – Hey Now, Who Really Cares
Headless Heroes – Just One Time
Headless Heroes – True Love

Headless Heroes Official Site, Headless Heroes on myspace, Pre-Order The Silence Of Love

Alela Diane was born in Nevada to musical parents. As she grew, she performed with her parents and in the school choir. She eventually taught herself to play guitar and began putting out albums in 2003 with the self-released Forest Parade. Alela now lives in Portland and has just released her fourth album, To Be Still, on Rough Trade Records.

If you looked at my iPod and cd collection you would assume that I would not like Alela Diane, and by all accounts you would normally be right, but there is something about Alela’s music/voice that totally captivates me. The calm, bordering on melancholy coupling of the music and vocals almost forces the listener to stop and pay attention; and pay attention I have.

To Be Still, like The Pirate’s Gospel, was pretty much a DIY effort. It was recorded and produced by her, her father, Tom Menig, and Dan Elkan. However, unlike her last, To Be Still has a lot of instruments on it. Inviting mandolins, banjos, fiddles and drums to the party does nothing to take away from the real star of the party, Alela’s voice. Instead, it adds the flavor that pushed To Be Still right onto my Essential Listening list. Check it out.

Alela Diane – White As Diamonds
Alela Diane – Tatted Lace
Alela Diane – Take Us Back

Alela Diane’s Official Site, Alela Diane on myspace, Buy To Be Still

Enjoy

When left to my own vices I don’t listen to many bands fronted by women. No real reason for it. As Dan Bern says in Chick Singers, “it’s just guys I hear the most.” So, if a cd arrives that is by an unfamiliar female singer, it will get pushed aside in favor of other, male fronted bands. Such is the case with Portland, Oregon resident Alela Diane’s latest effort, The Pirate’s Gospel. The cd has been floating around my house for months, and had it not been for the title, I may never have given it a listen. As it turns out, I was looking for Buccaneer songs for a post one afternoon, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I knew I was gonna like Pirate’s Gospel about two minutes into the opening track. Musically the cd is a sparse acoustic guitar and Alela’s vocals. Her voice reminds me of someone who would have been singing in a prohibition era speak easy. Again, no real reason for it but when I put the headphones on and close my eyes, that’s where I imagine these songs have come from. There is the occasional Natalie Merchant feel to her delivery as well. There isn’t anything terribly distinctive about the music but her singing has me hook line and sinker and will keep me coming back for more.

Alela Diane – The Pirate’s Gospel
Alela Diane – The Rifle
Alela Diane – My Tired Feet

Alela Diane’s Official Site, Alela Diane on myspace, Buy The Pirates Gospel