Introducing: Gretchen Lohse
It is always a tad unsettling to receive a press release directly from an artist but written in the third person perspective – as if the act of sharing an artistic endeavor somehow inserts a degree of removal from the artist themselves. Here is me. Let’s observe. A side observation, really, but such is the press release sent out recently from Philadelphia artist Gretchen Lohse.
In her copy, Lohse unsurprisingly nails the Lohse sound, which to paraphrase draws inspiration from her time with psychedelic band Yellow Humphrey and distills it into an understated, but multifaceted folk arrangements. Lohse has a favorable opinion of her debut solo album Primal Rumble, and though she might not make for the most objective of advocates, I am inclined to agree.
Primal Rumble, is an altogether lovely collection of psychedelic-leaning, throwback folk songs that evoke all of the good stuff: loneliness, longing, dreams, etc. Though Lohse’s songs contain delicately arranged violin/viola, guitar, and the occasional flute or banjo; the most evocative aspect of her music is her voice. Lohse’s vocals contain a plaintive guilelessness, almost naiveté, that infuse her tunes with a sweetness that is hard to deny. You can stream/purchase Primal Rumble in its entirety here – my own personal favorite track is “Rings” which also features Ben Cocchiaro on banjo and Alex Luquet on upright bass. Lohse plans to tour in support of Primal Rumble in early 2014 though no dates have been announced just yet.
— Jon
Primal Rumble (via bandcamp)
