Julie Peel is a Canadian folk artist I have enjoyed on several tribute compilations for some old favourites of mine. She has done a wonderful version of “A night like this” by the Cure, The Pixies’ “The Happening”, The Breeders’ “Fortunately gone” and “Divine Hammer” and “I believe in you” by Neil Young. Now, she is here again with her own songs, and they are good!
Her music must not be compared by the bands she has covered, – they are from another musical universe. If you like Feist, Sharon Van Etten, Laura Gibson, Jenny Owen Youngs, Amie Mann, Anna Ternheim or the acoustic Lou Barlow, they all have the same kind of “happy-melancholy” inside their songs as Julie Peel has.
Julie Peel’s debut album, “Near the sun”, was released yesterday on American Laundromat Records. It’s full of sweet, warm acoustic pop songs, perfect for the dark and rainy autumn days. Peel has written, recorded and produced the album herself, and she also plays most of the instruments here (vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, bass, piano, ukulele, banjo, glockenspiel, lapsteel, violin keys, melotron, moogs, kazoo, drums programming and tambourine). My favourite on the album is the beautiful title track, where Peel really touches me with her wonderful songwriting. The chorus is intensely beautiful. Also “In slow motion”, where she performs all on her own, is a real gem.
For those of you who choose to buy the album via iTunes or other digital shops, Julie Peel has been so kind that she has made the cover-booklet available as a pdf on her site. Well done!
Here’s a track from the album:
Julie Peel – Unfold
Julie Peel will also be a part of American Laundromat’s upcoming compilation “Sing Me To Sleep – Indie Lullabies”, due for release in May 2010. The proceeds from the sale of this compilation will be donated to a non-profit charitable organization that provides support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. The amazing list of confirmed artist includes Dean & Britta, Tanya Donelly, Stars, Jenny Owen Youngs & Greg Laswell, Neil Halstead, The Leisure Society, The Real Tuesday Weld, The Rest, Say Hi, Julie Peel, Sigur Ros, Snowbird, Telekinesis, Casey Mecija (Ohbijou), The Antlers, Trespassers William, Papercuts, Peter Broderick, Laura Gibson and more will be added before the release.
