By Christopher Hislop of Seacost online.
March 06, 2014 2:00 AM
Don’t call Marissa Nadler a folk musician. Her music is much more cinematic than that.
Take John Fahey, toss him in a blender with Patti Smith, whisk in some of the imagery found in dreams of the darker variety, slowly incorporate wistfully presented lyrics sung in the mezzo-soprano range, soak it all in a healthy dash of reverb, and you’re starting to scratch the surface of the brand of music Nadler is creating.
WHAT Marissa Nadler
WHEN 9 p.m. Sunday, March 9
WHERE Book & Bar, 40 Pleasant St., Portsmouth
COST $10
CONTACT 427-9197 orwww.bookandbar.com
Touring in support of her latest album, “July,” which came out Feb. 10 — her eighth album to date, Nadler will bag up her dark and dreamy tunes and travel north from the great state of Massachusetts for an appearance at the Portsmouth Book & Bar on Sunday, March 9.
SPOTLIGHT: Music. What is it good for? Why do you seek it? Why do you create it?
NADLER: A world without it wouldn’t be nearly as beautiful.
SPOTLIGHT: Music. Describe the sounds that you cook up.
NADLER: Atmospheric, subtle, heavy, dark, rooted in folk with shoegaze, country, and black metal infusions.
SPOTLIGHT: Your latest record is called “July.” Why? How do you feel about March? In particular New England style Marches — the weather, not the movement …
NADLER: The record documents one July to the next, and it was recorded in July. It couldn’t be further removed from a “summer” record. I like March in New England towards the end, when winter finally leaves us and the flowers begin to bloom.
SPOTLIGHT: What are you looking for a listener to take with them when they experience one of your records or your live show?
NADLER: Seeing music live is always more imperfect and more personal. There’s nothing polished. I think it can be more emotionally resonant to see a musician in the flesh.
SPOTLIGHT: When you walk into a bookstore that has a bar what’s the first thing you do? Crack a book, or hoist a pint?
NADLER: I don’t drink anymore. So it’s going to have to be a book!
SPOTLIGHT: What can fans expect when they come out to see you at the Portsmouth Book & Bar on March 9?
NADLER: Well, I don’t believe I’ve ever played in New Hampshire! Maybe once …; so I’m really not sure what to expect from people! I will be joined by cellist Janel Leppin, who will also play synth and sing some of the harmony vocals that are so prevalent on “July.”