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A
conference in San Francisco about a geeky technology called Linux
isn't the obvious place I'd go listen to some rocking music, but
that's what I found, in the form of Megan Slankard. Megan
was actually performing at Freedom Fest 2004, staged by the Electronic
Frontier Foundation, a digital civil rights advocacy group, and
her driving alt-pop music was perfect for an open-air gig on a
warm, sunny August evening.
A
native of Northern California, Megan has at age 21 already released
a couple of CDs as an independent, following up on her 2001 solo
acoustic debut Lady is a Pirate with last year's full band
sound on Freaky Little Story. Together, her releases have
brought her to the attention of local radio stations (her song
"Too Bad You" appears on a KFOG compilation) as well
as to the finals of national song competitions.
Like
most indie artists, Megan has been hitting the road a lot to promote
her latest CD, performing gigs around the bay area at such renowned
venues as the Starry Plough in Berkeley and Henflings in Ben Lomand,
as well as appearances in LA and Sacramento. Hopefully, she'll
make it to the Big Apple soon. Don't miss her when she does -
join her mailing list at www.meganslankard.com.
~~~~~
 I
didn't have to go to California for serendipity to be at work
when I dipped into the Living Room a while back, and had my first
hearing of Dawn Kinnard. I was there to be an audience
member at a video shoot of Stanton Street Records' latest signing
Keiran McGee, and was hanging in the bar afterwards when the alt-country
sound of Dawn drifted through from the back room.
A
native and resident of Pennsylvania, Dawn's powerful voice and
music draws an instant comparison with the likes of Americana-diva
Lucinda Williams and up-and-coming Canadian Kathleen Edwards.
On stage with her band, her sound is tuneful and lush, and the
lady is clearly in command of her craft.
Dawn
released her self-titled debut in 2003, with many songs on the
album being drawn from solitary road warrior inspiration on her
Harley Davidson. Sadly, the Harley was sold to raise cash for
the recording, but its legacy is a fine album and material for
a full roster of touring, which will take Dawn to Europe later
in the year. Check her out at www.dawnkinnard.com.
~~~~~
 Continuing
with the serendipity theme, it was an odd experience recently
when several people commented positively on my wardrobe. I had
just returned from the West coast, and was seeking a clean t-shirt
to wear that night. Fortunately, a package had just arrived with
not only a fine CD from MiMi Ferocious, but a green garment
from their label Lunch Lady Records. The t-shirt was a definite
hit with the fashion-aware mob that I was hanging out with, and
I got to brag "Yeah, I'm in the business you know."
Nice
as it is, I actually prefer the CD - 250 Times Sweeter Than
Sugar - to the t-shirt, and while she's not cool enough to
wear the former, WOMANROCK colleague Carrie Crespo clearly also
digs the retro girl rock album, which she describes variously
as "hypnotic" and "all Bangles and Blondie."
The band themselves describe their sound as "loud, progressive
but poppy, sensitive but with balls."
Based
in New York, MiMi Ferocious is led by vocalist/guitarist and lyricist
Stephanie St. John, who released a couple of CDs as a solo folkie
before teaming up with band mates David Wilson (bass), Michael
Preston (guitar) and David Ross (drums), to release the debut
CD this summer. Read more about the band and the CD (but not the
t-shirt) at www.mimiferocious.com.
Pete
Harris founded Harris Radio as a response to the music
being played on corporate-controlled mainstream radio. He is also
a partner in WOMANROCK. Check out Scene and Heard artists on www.harrisradio.com.
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