Female Folk Revival

After the over whelming success of Laura Marling's debut last year, the female singer-songwriter has taken a bit of a dip. It's less folk and Fender's these days and a little more 'lectro and Little Boots.

There's no doubt that the likes of Florence, La Roux and MIA have proved themselves this year. All have crafted innovative records that shattered creative boundaries and smashed preconceptions of synth-splashed crap, with Florence in particular demonstrating a comfortable ability to wow a crowd with jaw dropping performances, outlandish outfits and pitch-perfect, high note hitting screeches.

But I've got to say, I kind of miss the delicate pluckings of last years success stories. Adele, Marling and Nash, prior to her album's release, showed an aptitude for love songs and heart-wrenching, folk-provoking, pop ditties that bought back to life the likes of Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell.

Their songs fuelled by male malfunctions, relationship problems and love tackling tribulations have proved to be an influence on countless acts throughout the years, and talent, in this case, is undeniable with influence sure to follow...


Jolie Holland is a Texan born singer-songwriter whose bluesy, Southern velvet like voice is rich in a very jazz club-like, seductive slur. Trumpets and horns tip-toe over 'Old Fashioned Morphine' like an underground 1950's New York hot spot. Whiskey in crystal glasses, single women looking for love and a musky air of cigar smoke circulates this wholesome swoon like a Marilyn Monroe black and white tale of lust and sinister romance.

Download jolie holland - Old Fashioned Morphine


Next up is Megan Washington. Megan grew up in Papua New Guinea, and moved to Brisbane at quite a young age. Her delicate, rustic ticklings of simplicity ring with originality and a quaint sense of modern pop intelligence. 'One Man Band' jogs along like Marling's 'The Captain And The Hour Glass' with a skipping drum and an escalating tempo of whistles and grins.

It's the type of guitar based clapping-folk pop that the likes of Kt Tunstell can only long to create. It's got a commercial sound but remains under the radar of corporate pop for the simple reason that it's probably too good for the charts and its dullard followers. Not to mention its wishful lyrical wisdom is far to clever for Radio 1 and T4.

Download Washington - One Man Band


The final act of this mini feature is the Portland songstress, Mirah. Born in Philadelphia in 1974 this soft-voiced young lady provides the most subtle of today's songs. '100 Knives' is as delicately basic as it comes with Mirah's voice proving to be the main instrument. Primarily it's a love song about long days lost under bed sheets in the fortress of your own home. Her voice peaks pretty darn high at points but remains perfect throughout.

Download mirah - 100 Knives

Now, these performers are hardly new. Some have have studio albums dating back to 2002, and more importantly, I'm not disregarding the likes of Regina or Cat Power, I'm simply shinning some much deserved light on these talented young ladies who need a little recognition.