Joanna Newsom

Description of Joanna Newsom's Work:

Contemporary folk, freak folk, singer-songwriter

Comparisons:

Joanna Newsom came on the scene in 2004, and was one of the artists included in Devendra Banhart's The Golden Apples of the Moon CD. Fans of Banhart and Newsom may also enjoy the work of Beach House, Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine, and Connor Oberst.

Recommended CDs by Joanna Newsom:

Milk-Eyed Mender (Drag City, 2004)

Ys (Drag City, 2006)

Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band (Drag City)

Purchase/Download Joanna Newsom MP3s:

"Three Little Babies"
"Cassiopeia"
"Only Skin"

Joanna Newsom Biography:

Joanna Newsom was born in January 1982 and grew up in Nevada City, California. Part of a very musical family—her mother is a pianist and her father plays guitar—her introduction to music was via the Celtic Harp. Although her first instrument was piano, Newsom began playing the harp at seven years old. She later developed an affinity for the pedal harp and became interested in composition.

After studying composition and creative writing at Mills College in Oakland, CA, her demos snagged her an opening slot on the road with Will Oldham. Soon, she signed to Drag City Records and released her critically acclaimed 2004 record The Milk-Eyed Mender. She also toured with Devendra Banhart before recording the even more critically acclaimed Ys in 2006. She continues to tour extensively.