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A few months ago if you asked me who Chris Pureka was I'd have no answer. I had never heard the name, never knew she existed, and didn't have the slightest idea what I was missing.
Cut to a few months ago. I was watching a new tour video from our Best Album of 2008 winner, Jay Brannan, and he had a clip of this absolutely amazing singer. I was instantly captivated.
It was, of course, Chris Pureka. From that shaky footage shot from a balcony, I was instantly captivated.
Pureka is a master of her craft. A musician and lyricist who plays and writes with such passion it is impossible not to fall under her spell. Her music just catches you and carries you away. Such richly textured and emotional music is hard to come by nowadays. I love music that just takes you places. I've talked about it before on the site. The best music is the kind you can lean back and disappear in and Chris Pureka's songs are easy to lose yourself in.
For those who like comparisons, Chris Pureka would be well at home among the likes of Tracy Chapman, Patty Griffin, or Brandi Carlile. I have even heard of some comparisons to Ani DiFranco. To be honest, I'd rank her quite a bit higher than Ani. Chris is not nearly as abrasive or political.
If I had to make a list of the top five folk singers performing today Chris Pureka would certainly have a spot firmly in hand.
Chris just released a new EP, her fourth album, entitled Chimera and we've been graciously allowed to share a track from that album. I chose California. It's a gorgeous tune and my favorite off the album. It makes me think of road trips over long empty stretches of highways.
I have heard three of her albums: Driving North, Dryland, and Chimera. There is not a bad track in the bunch. Pick up these albums and see for yourself just how great she is. I have a shortlist of some independent artists that I'd love to feature on my podcast (once it launches that is, it's becoming the Chinese Democracy of Podcasts) and Chris has skyrocketed to the top of that list. If I didn't think I could get anyone to come to this apartment and play music into an iMac I'd already start booking people. I should do it fast though...she's an episode of Grey's Anatomy away from becoming a household name.
With a brand new studio album coming this summer and the Chimera EP available now, Chris is hitting the road. We've got her east coast tour dates below and will have the west coast dates in a few weeks. In the meantime, check out some videos of Chris after the tour dates!
*Wed. Jan. 21st
Southpaw
Brooklyn, NY
With Erin McKeown
*Thurs. Jan. 22nd
The Tin Angel
Philadelphia, PA
Nicole Reynolds opens.
*Fri. Jan. 23rd
Jammin' Java
Vienna, VA
Nicole Reynolds opens.
*Sat. Jan. 24th
Club Caf?
Pittsburgh, PA
Judith Avers opens
*Tues. Jan. 27th
"Take a Chance Tuesday"!
The Ark
Ann Arbor, MI
FREE SHOW!
*Wed. Jan. 28th
The Beat Kitchen
Chicago, IL
Nicole Reynolds opens.
*Thurs. Jan. 29th
Caf? Montmartre
Madison, WI
Nicole Reynolds opens.
*Fri. Jan. 30th
Hotch-a-Do
Milwaukee, WI
*Sat. Jan. 31st
Indy Indie Concert Series
Indianapolis, IN
Judith Avers opens.
*Sun. Feb. 1st
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH
Fri. Feb. 13th
Smith College
Northampton, MA
With Andrea Gibson!
Fri. Feb 20th
Me and Thee Coffeehouse
Marblehead, MA
Sun Mar 29
Wheaton College
Norton, MA
Mon Mar 30
Club Passim
Cambridge, MA
For more information on Chris Pureka visit:
MySpace
Official Site
Faux Pas Productions
1 comments:
She's really quite amazing isn't she. I don't even remember how I heard about her initially but I have all of the albums and I love each and every track.
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