Boston-area singer/songwriter Meg Hutchinson is one of the most impressive new artists on the scene, even though she's been doing her thing for a while now. Her latest album, Come Up Full was recently released on Red House Records, where she joins the good company of labelmates like Greg Brown, John Gorka, and Eliza Gilkyson.
Alt-country singer-songwriter Eilen Jewell is an exquisite songwriter and an excellent live performer. Her latest album, Letters From Sinners and Strangers is a tight blend of rockabilly and contemporary folk, and her star is unquestionably on the rise.
Sera Cahoone used to play with Northwest darlings Carissa's Wierd, for whom she was the drummer. She leant her skills to Band of Horses' debut album before developing her own solo project. Her latest album, Only As the Day is Long (SubPop) builds nicely on the low-fi alt-country that characterized her self-titled debut. It's likely to be a record that spreads the word nationwide on this naturally gifted songwriter.
Sarah Watkins isn't really new to the folk world, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, she's been one third of the prodigious Nickel Creek for more than 20 years, until the trio split last year. Now, as her brother Sean and former bandmate Chris Thile embark on their various projects, Sarah is going solo, as well. Look for some splendid solo work from this gifted fiddler.
Rose Cousins was one of the most gifted songwriters I spotted at this year's Folk Alliance conference in Memphis. The Nova Scotia-based singer/songwriter writes lovely folk-pop songs that call to mind artists like the Weepies and Shawn Colvin. She is definitely an artist to watch.
New York-based singer/songwriter Kimya Dawson has been considered everything from indie rock to punk to anti-folk and acousti-pop. Personally, I think her approach to her work, not to mention her subject matter and overall onstage persona make her fit quite nicely in the realm of folk music. She's risen to national attention lately due to her work on the Juno soundtrack.
Atlanta, Georga-based singer/songwriter Caroline Herring calls to mind great songwriters like Mindy Smith and Lucinda Williams, as her work straddles the fence between folk and country. Her tunes are lovely observational comments and sad love songs.
16-year-old bluegrass mandolin prodigy Sierra Hull might remind you of another talented woman bluegrass prodigy, Alison Krauss—whom she's named among her heroes (and with whom she's already performed). Her debut is coming out this year on Rounder Records, and it's not to be missed. She is, without question, going to be a new force in the bluegrass world.
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