Last month I was lucky enough to catch one of the few shows that Zoe Boekbinder did in California. I have known and listened to Zoe's music for years. I was very last when over a year ago she up and moved to New Orleans . . . but upon hearing how her sound has evolved and grown all my sorrow was evaporated. Her haunting and beautiful voice can remind you of the saddest day you can recall OR it can make you bubble up with joy and love and a giddiness that is more playful than a child's daydream. Zoe is one of those musicians who it is really quite pointless to write about. . . there are no collection of words or explanations that can capture the scope of her talent. please go listen, and if you are lucky you will get to see her live!
I am eagerly awaiting the release of two separate projects Zoe continues to work on. The first is a crazy endurance project where Zoe made 100 songs in 100 days! While she admits that not all of the songs will see the light of day many of them will hopefully grace an album within a few months.
The second project is a ambitious reaching into the dark spots of out society to see the hidden light. Zoe is working with inmates at Folsom county prison to produce their lyrics and music. She is collaborating with people who our society shut away and forget but who are still people. People with talent and stories so raw that they echo in your bones even if you cannot understand them. My hope every time I get to see Zoe in concert is that I will get to hear her perform some of these songs; Each song also has a story behind it that gives the song an extra depth and dimension. When this album is released I will be one of the first to get it.
Opening for Zoe Boekbinder was Red Steppes. This young okland native has a knack for writing songs that paint pictures of beauty and joy punctuated with tales of loss and longing. Each one has a sobering perspective with a message some times overt but often subtle. Even this short opening set left an impact on me that makes me eager to see her perform again. With any luck her first album will be out in the next few months!
https://www.facebook.com/ZoeBoekbinderMusic
https://redsteppes.bandpage.com/
https://www.facebook.com/redsteppes
