On May 1st, Feist’s release of “The Reminder” will hit stores in the U.S. The Canadian native, whose first name is Leslie, has chosen the popular trend of going by a singular name but choosing the non-traditional style of it being her last name. This will be the second release from Feist, who is breaking into the mainstream Pop movement after being considered “Indie” for most of her career. She won a JUNO Award (the Canadian equivalent of a GRAMMY) for best Alternative Album and Best New Artist in 2005 for her album Let it Die.
Her sound is a bit Corrine Bailey Rae, ALOT of Cat Power, some Ricki Lee Jones and perhaps a smidgen of Joss Stone. Her story and musical background is varied. Her Bio illustrates her vast musical experience, particularly considering that she’s only 31 years old.
Here is her new single, 1234, from The Reminder CD — Sort of Regina Spektor-ish…
Here is an audio interview from today’s New York Times where she talks a little about her song writing. She mentions that her songs come more from “feel-ledge” than KNOW-ledge. She has the versatility of torch songs and ballads, as well as more funky, soul beat tunes. Here are some examples:
Secret Heart
One Evening
Mushaboom
Gatekeeper Live
Hope you enjoy her as much as I am. Remember, her new release will be available in the states May 1st. 1234 is currently available as a single on iTunes.
Music Maven 
morewines
April 19, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Fiest is amazing.
Love Secret Heart.
It’s a song if you hear it for
the first time, makes you stop
and listen.
Laurita
April 20, 2007 at 3:39 am
dd, you’ve just filled gray’s very big shoes for me tonight, by turning me on to Fiest.. this is wonderful, different and interesting, and i’m definitely going to be ordering the previous CD and the new one..
thanks so much for this.. and yes, m.w., i’ve stopped, and am listening.. very cool…
shrewspeaks
April 20, 2007 at 6:35 am
I also hear a little Crissy Hinds in there
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 8:49 am
OK, its me not you. I aint getting her. Ahm tryin’ but it aint happenin’.
I have a very narrow window I think. You either hit me or you dont. I cant remember the last time a singer grew on me. I either get it or I dont. I dont get her.
Crap, I hate when this happens cause I so want to feel something. Can I still play in your playground DD?
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 9:36 am
Dingo — of course, my dear. Everyone doesn’t have to walk in music lockstep to “be” here. I like Feisty. I like Jamie Lidell and I like Ray LaMontagne. I don’t like every song they “do”, but I like them overall.
Do you like Ray L. or Amos Lee? or Corrine Bailey Rae? If not, it may be more the “sound” that you don’t dig — ya dig? Can I ask you what new artist you like that you’ve discovered over the last year? I’m trying to get some perspective of what kinds of music folks like us (shall we say, not 16) are liking from the new crop of artists.
Thanks for just giving Feist a listen. It’s cool that she don’t float yer boat. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of other stuff that you’ll like to talk about at Music Maven.
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 9:53 am
Shrew — Chrissy, huh?
Well, maybe just a little.
She certainly casts a similar vibe.
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 9:59 am
Do you like Ray L. or Amos Lee? or Corrine Bailey Rae?
————-
Yes DD, I like them all and have at least ONE song of theirs on my iPod. I think the two “new” artists in the last year who have brought me to tears with their sound and music were Lizz Wright’s “Hit The Ground”, Patty Griffin’s “When It Dont Come Easy” and Beth Hart’s “Lifetime”. Interesting that all 3 are female. I seem to gravitate to powerful, soulful despondent songs lol. I wonder what that says about me as a person.
I actually listened to LaMontagne’s concert via NPR a few months back and was so moved I can barely describe it. Apparently I like music that emits a lot of pain.
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 10:38 am
Dingeaux —
Interesting. For you, Feist may just be a dud. I’m kind of a “get me in the gut” kind of song gal myself, so I get ya.
I am typically NOT drawn to female singers but the ones you mention certainly warrant a listen. Maybe I’ll put that on my “potential post list”.
As for the NPR Ray concert. I also listened in and the dude’s brilliant. I still think that he’s seriously lacking in social skills but he’s improved tremendously. I’m actually starting to kind of like his personality and not “just his music”.
shrewspeaks
April 20, 2007 at 10:46 am
I have to admit…Feist isn’t hitting my core yet. I will promise to give her a wider window. I find the reedyness of her tone mixed with the retro-soul beat creates a bit of dissonance…which may very well be her intent. I am not drawn in yet.
I could also be prejudiced against her “Feist”/”Fergie”ness of her name.
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 10:54 am
It took me a couple of listens, but now 1234 is STUCK in my head. I really like Secret Heart as it gives me a Jeff Buckley feeling. I listened to the others via iTunes then found them on YouTube and they were the ones I liked the best.
I’m not sure that I’ve found any “gobsmack” artists lately. Not even Ray Lamontagne bowled me over at first listen…nor *gasp* Amos, NolaGirl! But now, I is hooked.
Besides, she looks really cool with that red Gibson, no? I do think that your Black-Eyed Peas jaundice is coming in to play, maybe just a little. For me, it was a little “Daughtry” disdain that got me re: the solo name thang.
shrewspeaks
April 20, 2007 at 11:08 am
Gobsmacked…Sharon Jones…I am rightly gobsmacked by her.
brc
April 20, 2007 at 11:28 am
Okay. I got up and listened this morning with my cup of coffee. Feist wasn’t working for me. I’m new in several of these forums so I didn’t want to be a negative Nellie. I’m usually of the “if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all” people. So I checked a few other blogs, got the kids off to school, had two conference calls for work, sent a few e-mails, and went on with my day.
Checking back in here, I feel like it’s okay to express my opinion. Maybe I’m just feeling better because I’m not the only one?? Anyway, I think she has a really interesting voice. I just don’t care that much for the songs. Maybe my musical ear just isn’t sophisticated enough? Or maybe I just like to be able to sing along? I fear that I’m more of a mainstream girl than an alternative girl.
You asked about new artists people have liked in the past year…
I groove on Paolo Nutini’s ‘New Shoes’ but haven’t really liked his other tunes. I also like Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy.’ Corrine’s ‘Put Your Records On’ is a favorite, but I’m not hearing the Corrine in Feist. I do hear the Regina Spektor in her. I happen to like ‘Fidelity,’ but haven’t listened to any of her other stuff.
Thanks for exposing us to new stuff dd.
Althea
April 20, 2007 at 11:53 am
A new artist usually takes a little while and a few listens for me to decide if the music grabs me. But on first listen “1234” reminds of Gwen Stefani, who I think is Ok to listen to on TV and radio but I wouldn’t spend money on her. I do like “Scared Heart” a little better. The others well, to be honest I couldn’t make myself listen to them in their entirety. It is nice to be exposed to something new and I will relisten once my house is finally cleaned.
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Guys, seriously….Read the “about” on this blog. As long as your comments aren’t offensive, disrespectful (particularly of me) or droll, it’s cool. Oh, and if you don’t use any humor at any time, I may consider banning you, because the paramount importance of all this is MY entertainment. I keed! I keed!
I know people may be a little timid about just throwing comments out there if they don’t agree with my assessment, but I know that you can’t help it if you’re musical tastes are just not as sophisticated as mine, so I’ll be patient with you all. Again, I keed. I keed.
I find it fascinating to hear others’ points of view on music and why people like what they do or don’t like what they don’t. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness (and frankly, manners), however, on not wanting to barge in and be Nattering Naybobs of Negativism. (Well, except Dingeaux, but her humor tips the scales in her favor.)
I’m tickled that people are even reading, listening and commenting, so please don’t worry about letting me know when “you’re not feelin’ it”. I’ve got a big back, I can take it.
brc
April 20, 2007 at 12:28 pm
DoubleD. You make me smile 🙂
brc
April 20, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Did I scare everyone out of the room with my smiley face?
“I’m trying to get some perspective of what kinds of music folks like us (shall we say, not 16) are liking from the new crop of artists.”
Just wanted to add KT Tunstall’s ‘Suddenly I See’ and Gwen Stefani’s ‘Sweet Escape’ to my list of recent favorites/discoveries. I know, I know, I’m behind the curve, but considering that prior to my discovery of GC at the end of last year my most recent musical purchase was probably Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road… don’cha think I’m starting to catch up?
Toldya I was pretty mainstream.
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I cant help it, I love Daughtry’s “Home”. There, I said it and no I wont voluntarily get in the woodchipper so there!
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Dingeaux gets 2 demerits for liking Daughtry.
If someone vocally supports Kat, 5 demerits.
Honestly, I think Daughtry did a great job on his CD in his genre. It’s just not my kind of music. As for Kat, I just don’t like her…in ANY genre.
leejolem
April 20, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I’m waiting with baited breath to hear MM/DD’s response to you, Dingo. I liked Home when it was 1st played, but now after hearing it 1,000,000 times I’m burnt out.
leejolem
April 20, 2007 at 3:31 pm
oops, I was 2 minutes too late.
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Dingeaux gets 2 demerits for liking Daughtry.
—————
LOLOL. I knew that would get a rise from someone but its true. I find myself humming it all the time dammit. Katherine doesnt do anything for me at all. Also, I saw taylor on Regis this morning doing JTFTW. I cringe when I watch him sing that. It always seems like he is straining hard to hit those notes and damaging those chords of his. It hurt my ears to listen and no I wont go home! Ahm stayin’ right here till the lights go out.
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 3:41 pm
P.S.
I love my new name. Its frenchy and sophisticated dontchya think? Just like me. Hey, I should be gettin’ some points for being able to speak without using the F word. I mean thats like climbing Mt. Everest for me. I hear thats a really big mountain.
music maven
April 20, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Mucho gracias on the f-bomb refrainage. As my dear old dad used to say, “Do we really need all the adjectives?”
Gotta go…bu bye for now. Talk amongst yourselves…
KimLoree
April 20, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I do like Fiest quite a bit. She really reminds me of Cat Power, but much more comfortable in her skin. Her videos are kind of fun to watch.
I don’t see the Corrine connection though. I absolutely love “Put Your Records On”.
Don’t know about what’s his name’s “Home”…but how about Marc Broussard’s “Home”? I could watch that video at least 10 times a day.
Thanks for the music….
KimLoree
April 20, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Meant “Feist”. Why can’t I ever see my typo’s until after I hit the submit button?
KimLoree
April 20, 2007 at 4:09 pm
That would be “typos”. Geesh…
brc
April 20, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Dingo… Oh, forgot you’re now dingeaux… ditto on the JTFTW. The little bit of The Maze that got on air was much better. And good for you for speaking your mind even though you knew you were gonna catch some flak. At least you only got 2 demerits
leejeauxlem
April 20, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I’m anxious to hear Taylor perform JTFTW live in Columbus on Tuesday. It’s one of my favs on the cd, but it does seem to strain him vocally when he’s on tv. I’ve read a couple good reviews of his concert rendition of it. Have any of you guys seen TH in concert, and how was his performance of JTFTW? MM, sorry to go off topic a bit w/Taylor info. I’m just so darned excited about the concert!!!!!!
BTW, love the new spelling of Dingeaux. How ’bout french-ifying my moniker?
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Blushes, gosh, thanks all for the comments on my new name.
Brc,Im used to catching hell when I speak my mind. I said I thought Taylor’s CD sucked donkey balls on the very first day of its release and oh boy, how to get attention 101. I changed my mind about a dozen times in those first few days but ultimately ended up hating (save for maybe 3 songs) the whole CD. I think JTFTW is a difficult song to master. I havent heard him do it well on Tv yet. Its too damn hard.
Lee, love the new French twist to your name lol.
Dingo
April 20, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Kim, I too love Marc Broussard’s “Home”. Beautiful song and he has a great voice as well. BUT, I still got Daughtry’s “Home” running around in my head. It pains me to say it but I do dammit.
Rich
April 20, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Can’t say Feist does anything for me. The only music by a female artist I have bought in the last 10 years is Eva Cassidy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3YVil3Ajjs