Wednesday 20 July 2011

Firehorse - and so they ran faster…


When Prince calls you a brilliant performer, you know it’s a high compliment. The Purple One was referring to Leah Siegel, the singer/songwriter/instrumentalist behind the Brooklyn group FIREHORSE, after witnessing her live. Prince was certainly onto something, as Siegel’s full array of musical talents are on display on the eclectic debut album from Firehorse, and so they ran faster… out September 27, 2011 on PledgeMusic Recordings.

Produced by Geoff Stanfield (Mark Kozelek, Sun Kil Moon, Moby) and with Steve Elliot on guitar, the inimitable Tim Luntzel (Rosanne Cash, Loudon Wainwright III, and more) on bass, and Brian Wolfe (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Diane Schuur, Joan Jett, and others) on drums, and so they ran faster... explores the sonic possibilities and personal expression of an artist reaching for the next horizon.


The gorgeously hypnotizing music of Firehorse references luminaries like Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple and Florence and the Machine. However, Firehorse makes a world unto their own, complete with sonic flourishes, electronic beats and Siegel’s smoky vocals. Hypnotic and sexy grooves (“She’s A River”), haunting vocals that recall singers like Judy Garland and Doris Day (“My Left Eye”) and even bouncy pop rhythms (“Machete Gang Holiday”) all figure into the Firehorse repertoire. These seemingly disparate influences can be attributed to Siegel’s ability to design and assume different personas, sparked by a background in theater and singing in and co-writing commercials (Siegel wrote a song for a Topsy Foundation commercial, which won a Clio, Grand LIA and award at Cannes, in addition to being named an "ad worth spreading" by the nonprofit group TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design). This chameleon-like ability serves Firehorse well in creating a captivating listen.

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