Man oh man. I first saw Samantha Crain a few years back at Howlers. She and her band were playing a show with Pittsburgh indie act, Lohio. And duuuuuuuuuude. She was kind of like the Microphones channeling Loretta Lynn. Or something. Ms. Crain has a real knack for playing songs that remind you of classic country records without being referential and also for playing what is ostensibly hipster Brooklyny kind of music without being overly hipster or Brooklyny. You also get the idea that she’s not even trying to be old country at all. Her style of rock and roll just comes out that way.
She’s put out a couple of records under the moniker Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers, but seems to have dropped the Midnight Shivers for her new release, You (Understood). I was always impressed by her backing band– they were just the right blend of jangle and looseness to back her up. I’m not sure if she ditched the Midnight Shivers in favor of a new band or if it was just a name change, but it but the band on the new record is to be commended. Also, please don’t tell him, but I am totally in love with whoever it is that duets with her on Santa Fe. No, I do not want to know his name. This love is too pure to complicate with names.
You listen and tell me you do not also love him:
The full album took me a listen or two to love– it’s definitely further afield than her earlier releases and embraces a more ragged, indie feel than it’s predecessors. If you could tell me the word that describes music that is not experimental but uses weird elements in it like tweaking up the tuning and a-melodic guitar parts in it, I would use that word to describe Samantha’s new sound. In the meantime, just listen to this song:
Samantha Crain is on Ramseur Records, a little North Carolina label that has a knack for picking up superdowner acts that I tend to love. Other Ramseur bands include the Avett Brothers, the everybodyfields, Sam Quinn and Japan 10, and Paleface.
I’m a big fan of most Ramseur bands, and actually, Boca Chica has played shows with most of those kids. It’s nice to see them out and about, spreading the soulful depression around.
Check out more about Samantha Crain here.
