Joanna Newsom recently announced the February 23rd release of her next album entitled, Have One on Me. Her last two albums were stunning, and so I’m eagerly awaiting this one. The anticipation for Have One on Me brought to mind the first time I heard Joanna Newsom’s solo music. I first met her when I was interviewing her and her former band, the Pleased, for the now-defunct Sponic zine. During the interview, she mentioned that she had a solo gig where she sang and played harp. When I decided to go catch one of her solo performances at the Hemlock Tavern, I really can’t say what I expected at the time, but I certainly hadn’t expected what I heard. Her music was unique, original and just stunningly beautiful and weird at the same time. Based on my initial impression, I described her voice as “folksy” and “Bjork-esque” to friends. After the set, she mentioned that she had just signed to Merge, and that it was the last time she was allowed to sell her hand-packaged and homemade EPs. I bought both. And so, with that in mind and in honor of her upcoming new album, today’s Local Pairing is the now unavailable 2003 Yarn and Glue EP.
Joanna Newsom – The Sprout and The Bean (demo)
Joanna Newsom – This Side of the Blue (demo)
Joanna Newsom – Yarn and Glue (demo)
Joanna Newsom – What We Have Known (demo)
Joanna Newsom – Bridges and Balloons (demo)
Head back to eating/sf to read Kasey’s review of Blue Plate in the Mission District in San Francisco, California.
