Singer Jessica Lea Mayfield’s career has taken her from her family’s bluegrass
Published 5:13 pm Monday, June 16, 2014
Singer Jessica Lea Mayfield’s career has taken her from her family’s bluegrass band to proper alt-country-artist status, complete with an endorsement from the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. But with April’s Make My Head Sing . . . , which Mayfield co-produced with her bass player/husband Jesse Newport, it’s safe to say the Ohio native has found her comfort genre: grunge. Though recorded in Nashville, the album—her third—does away with the Music City sheen and the twang of her previous releases, both produced by Auerbach. This time the 24-year-old’s pure, haunting vocals and sharp lyrics cut through the sludge of thick guitar riffs on each track to create a dark, foreboding feel. Lead single “I Wanna Love You,” for example, seems innocent enough, until it’s revealed that the song is written from a stalker’s perspective. It’s a significant shift from her past work, but a bold and empowered one. With Israel Nash. The Crocodile. 7 p.m. $15 adv. All ages. AZARIA C. PODPLESKY
