Linda Draper

Linda Draper's been doing the New York folk singer-thing for a while now, judging from her large body work. Her latest album is called Bridge & Tunnel and is out now on Planting Seeds.

While I am not familiar with her earlier works, I would guess that her sound haven't significantly changed from her folk/anti-folk roots. She's been compared to Regina Spektor and Kimya Dawson, but based on the latest album, I feel like she's all that and more so like Joni Mitchell.

Starting today, Draper begins her second West Coast Tour in Los Angeles, California, playing support for "hot indie act Cotton Jones and The Parson Red Heads". This is just on the heels of her appearance in Magnet Magazine's MP3@3PM (this month's cover features Nick Cave on the cover!).

After listening to Bridge & Tunnel, I instantly knew that the song I wanted to talk about is "Time Will Tell" (but the truth is, pick any song off Bridge and Tunnel and it's all good). All of Draper's songs contain two important elements: enchanting vocals with beautiful melodies.

I don't recall ever hearing any drums, instead barely noticeable percussions and bass (mostly upright bass). The mixer and engineerers, Brad Albetta and Brian Fulk, focused mostly on the crystal clear vocals and the acoustic guitar.

I also wanted to talk about "Mother's Little Helper". I didn't know this was a cover at first, but even on first listen, I did make a mental note that this song stands apart from the other songs. It turns out that this is a Rolling Stones song, the one exception cover on the record. With absolutely no music, you really tend to focus on Draper's vocals and her tambourine.

Bridge & Tunnel is out now, check out Linda Draper on tour on the West Coast.