I came across two artists and started thinking about one I already knew. I don’t know why, but I like artists that are different….that say what they mean and mean what they say. They spark something in me, and all three of these artists are great acoustic musicians and aren’t too mainstream. Under the radar and underestimated American artist Kimya Dawson writes much more than cute happy songs that are used in pregnant-adolescent teen movies. One of her alternative listenings include the dark, but beautiful song “Driving Driving Driving”.
I had already known Kimya Dawson’s style of music from the movie Juno (does the song “Tire Swing” ring a bell?), but I hadn’t met Grace Petrie or Rory McLeod. This morning, while checking my e-mails, I came across Grace Petrie. How did I go from checking e-mails, to searching this British social justice songbird? Well, it has to do with this e-mail I saw about this really cool writing festival in London going on soon called WriteIdea Festival (Nov. 15-17), which I plan on going to. It’s freaking free! :] Check it out –> http://writeideafestival.org/events/
On that website, I found that Grace Petrie will be performing at the WriteIdea Festival’s event called Festival Fringe, so I decided to look her up. At first glance, she’s got a short boyish haircut and an opinionated voice like Ellen Paige’s character Juno. She’s down to earth and has things to say about the government system in Britain, Margaret Thatcher (British Prime MInister 1979-90), and even has a song called “Farewell to Welfare”. Clever, no?
She’s got angst and fire, and that’s what I like about her sound. She uses her voice as a tool to get across the way she sees the world, and isn’t afraid to say so. If you’re into political musicians and acoustic sounds with meaning that are pleasing to the ear, Grace Petrie’s your girl. She kills her performances, and I’m really looking forward to seeing her perform that November weekend.
After seeing Petrie’s song, I clicked on the suggested videos list on the side and saw fellow UK artist Rory McLeod’s video for his song, “Farewell Welfare”. It’s definitely not the same song, but has just as much impact, if not more. His skill is stellar, something I’ve never seen before, and it rocked my socks off. He’s been around for a while, but I’m impressed with his style and talent all the more.
Consequently, I’m blaming my sudden interest in political artists on my British politics class. We’ve been discussing the Liberals vs. the Labour vs. the Conservatives (or the Tories, as they call them), and it’s really cool. Even though I don’t know everything about the Brits and their history, I like finding connections with what I’m learning and the hobbies I have. It helps me to be a well-rounded person, and makes life a bit more interesting. :]