Yet more plunder from Down Under
Juanita Stein’s solo project embraces rootsy myths and sounds from America
What’s the deal? Given the praise lavished in recent weeks upon Australian singer/songwriter Jen Cloher and Julia Jacklin in this space, one would be excused, now that we’re adding yet another guitar-totin’ gal from Down Under to the list, for thinking Your New Favourite Thing is turning into some sort of Antipodean-rock-chick fan blog. But, hey, they just keep coming. What are you gonna do?
Juanita Stein actually comes to us via London, where she’s been the lead singer of indie-rock troupe Howling Bells for more than a decade.
That crew has been successful enough to be plucked as tour openers by such big guns as Coldplay and the Killers overseas, but kinda divided its fans by making a bit of a bid for the mainstream four albums in on 2014’s noticeably slicked-up Heartstrings.
Now, Stein is taking a bit of a breather from her day job and a turn for the twangy on her first solo album, America — which, as the title suggests, finds much of its musical and lyrical inspiration in the rootsy sounds and mythologies typically associated with the U.S.
“My first solo album draws from a rich history of American folk, alt-country and blues.”
JUANITA STEIN AUSTRALIAN MUSICIAN
Although there’s a whiff of Patsy Cline in the mix, America only really goes “country” on the tune “Cold Comfort.” Stein’s vision of America is more in tune with the heat-hazed swoonin’ and croonin’ of folks like Roy Orbison, Chris Isaak and Angel Olsen.
Her gossamer voice has earned her comparisons to Lana Del Rey, but since she’s got nearly 10 years on ol’ Dead Eyes it would be more accurate to say that Del Rey sounds such as Juanita Stein rather than the other way around.
Fans of P.J. Harvey will also find much to like in America’s more mysterious moments. Not sure what’s up with Howling Bells these days, but Stein seems to be doing just fine on her own.
Sum up what you do in a few simple sentences. “I write dark, dreamy, starlit road music,” Stein says. “My first solo album draws from a rich history of American folk, alt-country and blues set against a 1950s/1960s filmic backdrop. And there you have it.”
What’s a song I need to hear right now? “Black Winds.” Presents a somewhat hallucinogenic, decidedly “noir” ideal for future Juanita Stein solo pursuits. Although you probably shouldn’t watch the new video at work or in front of, like, your wife.
Where can I see her play? At the Dakota Tavern on Saturday, with F. Scott and the Nighthawks.