Hot Half Dozen 3.17.21
by Patrick O’Heffernan
Speak, a single by Gracie and Rachel. A secret musical language between sisters is revealed to us in this gorgeous beat-augmented song from their upcoming sophomore record, Hello Weakness, You Make Me Strong, to be released through Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records on September 18th. Stream on Spotify and buy the digital album or vinyl on Bandcamp. https://gracieandrachel.bandcamp.com/
Tempo by Dom La Nena. This Brazilian singer, cellist, songwriter, and producer based in Paris can be haunting, teasing, awkward, mesmerizing. Check out this wonderful self-produced full album – her third – on Bandcamp. Stream on Spotify. Follow at https://www.domlanena.com
La Rama Del Mezquite by Ozomatli featuring Cherine Anderson . The Grammy-winning original Latino rockers are back better than ever – if that is possible. The music moves along but with a kind of light, stripped-down feel so Anderson’s voice can ring through and true. So much fun. Stream, buy on all platforms. Follow at ozomatli.com/
Like Butterflies, single by Union of Knives with Helen Marnie. Playful, fun, and something different from this Glasgow-based band. “Like Butterflies,” is the follow-up single & video to “A Tall Tale” which is one of two LP tracks that feature Helen Marnie from Ladytron on vocals. It is the third single from the forthcoming album Endless from the Start. Pre-order vinyl album and CD at unionofknives.bandcamp.com
Diggin’ in the Dirt, single from the EP by Janita. Her take on the Peter Gabriel classic is spot-on – it is upbeat, weirdly seductive, urgent, addictive. Janita is a unique talent and she delivers both familiarity and individuality on this. Stream it on platforms. Follow at https://www.ecrmusicgroup.com/artists/janita/
Second-Hand Store by Leah Belle Faser. The fast-rising 16-year old looks like a stereotypical beautiful blond country singer, but her songwriting chops let you know quickly that she is fresh blood being injected into a tiring country genre that badly needs the creativity of women. This song is from her debut album, Crossing Hermi’s Bridge, titled for a steel truss bridge near her home named after Hermione ‘Hermi’ Alexander, a civil rights and social justice activist. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, video on Vevo. Follow at https://www.leahbellefaser.com/