| Singer brings her 'Strange Conversation' By KYLE RIDLEY For the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger Thursday, June 8, 2006 On paper it may seem difficult to revamp a poem dating back to the 1200s, but with a guitar, a soulful voice and a flare for attractive hooks, indie singer-songwriter Kris Delmhorst has done just that. "Strange Conversation," Delmhorst's fourth album and the follow-up to 2003's "Songs for a Hurricane," is a modernized collection of poetry spanning the centuries. This Sunday she brings her folk-rock-soul sounds to Jammin' Java for an evening of classic literature reworked as well as original fan favorites. The evolution of "Strange Conversation" began a few years ago when Delmhorst "out of boredom or curiosity" put her own spin on a 1648 Robert Herrick poem titled "The Scare-Fire." "I just flipped through a book and found this little poem," said the Brooklyn native currently living in New England. After some reassembling, the song was renamed "Water Water." "Water water bring me more/Douse the rafters and the floor/Throw your bucket, take your turn/Or just stand back and let the damn thing burn," she sings. Although the track became a staple in her live sets, the idea of generating a whole record based on poetry didn't take shape until a year later. "It happened by accident," said Delmhorst, who at the time was writing another album of original material. While flipping through an anthology one day, Delmhorst came across "A Toccata of Galuppi's" by Robert Browning. The 1847 poem immediately bounced to a melody in Delmhorst's head. Some dismantling and rearranging led to a finalized "Galuppi Baldessare," the opening track on "Strange Conversation." "Then they left you for their fortune, in due time one by one/Some had lives that came to nothing/Some did things they'd better not have done/And then death stepped up and took em where they'll never see the sun," she sings on "Galuppi Baldessare." "It wasn't like I was looking through books for poems to turn into songs. They pretty much found me," explained Delmhorst, who adapted her own lyrics into several of the poems. "It sort of took over and I didn't realize I was writing this type of record until I was halfway done with it." Recorded in a matter of days, Delmhorst was eager to hear what her label, Signature Sounds Recordings, thought of the new project. "They're such a cool label and they got behind it right away," she said. Although resources are limited when signed to an independent label, Delmhorst is happy to substitute big-budget finances for artistic freedom. "I love my label and working with people that I know are good people and who will push my music and make sure that it's going to be heard," she said. "With a big label you often don't even know if your album is going to be released. "Especially with the music business being the way it is right now- in such a state of disarray- I haven't seen many reasons to switch." Having had a number of songs featured in television and independent films, Delmhorst enjoys promoting her music through media forums. "It's one of the best things that can happen because it means you can make some money on your music without going out to play for people," she said. Over the years Delmhorst has become a key member in the ever growing and extremely tight-knit folk music scene. "It's like this big, bizarre family. It's a funny community because we travel all the time and meet up with each other everywhere and play," she said. "We're really actively supportive of each other careers. We are kind of making it up as we go - there's no rulebook, especially being an independent artist." Having spent several years driving cross-country to get her music heard, Delmhorst's break-neck itineraries have settled a bit as she gains a larger audience in each city. "I'm on the road a little bit less each year because I get to play slightly better shows and play for more people at once, so it's reasonably civilized," she said. And even though life on the road can get grueling at times - "Like everyone there are some nights that you'd just rather be on the couch with the blinds pulled down" - Delmhorst is captivated nightly by her crowds and is geared to share her current creations with a full band on her East Coast trek. "It feels pretty comfortable and it's super fun. I love playing with a band and these songs from the new record really come alive." |
|