Archive for 1996

sparsely arranged girl singing and plucking that gives me a feeling of being lost in the woods. the one that turns my crank the most is “waiting room,” that clinks along with little tiny bits of percussion and noises that remind of things elves would dream up. connie hears mazzy star in edith’s music, but I can’t really say I do. can’t wait for the LP.

I have a problem with nudity. Maybe I’m a little too conservative. Maybe I’m a little prude. But honestly, I have too much trouble getting into the shower to want to be exposed to it, pun intended. So when I’m finally ripe, finally cave I just keep my head up, look at the wall, and feel around for dirt. Usually with the lights off. But this Edith Frost. With the reassurance of a gentle kiss on the shoulder provides the resounding echo of reassurance. These aren’t light numbers… I’m completely serious, and completely thankful.

Like a waifier Kendra Smith, Ms. Frost spins delicate yarns around her acoustic strumming with a simplicity that would have (or will be) lost had these songs been released on a major. I’m not sure if Drag City will ever be able to find another Pavement or Royal Trux, but this lil’ songbird is sure to put a big "who cares" inside that dimly lit head of yours.

Gentle Frost

After sending unsolicited demo tapes to a handful of record labels a couple of years ago, Edith Frost found herself in a strange situation. A novice songwriter, she attracted the attention of two respected labels that couldn’t have been more different: Austin’s forward-looking roots-rock Dejadisc imprint and Chicago’s indie-rock experimentalist outlet Drag City. On a gut instinct she chose the latter, but openly wonders about what might have transpired with the former. "I don’t know how it would’ve turned out," Frost says, "but I’m sure the recordings would’ve been slicker and I probably would’ve moved home to Austin instead of to Chicago." Between her eponymous four-song debut, which Drag City released this summer, and her full album, already recorded and due next April, it’s clear Frost would have done well either way: the shy 30-year-old Texan might be the most distinctive and gifted singer-songwriter to surface in the last year or two.

LOCAL LIVE: A gig you can see. Drag City artist Edith Frost and former Drag City artist Royal Trux appear together Thursday at the Mercury Lounge. Neither of these acts plays much in New York and neither of them sounds like they want to play live anywhere sometimes.

Although entirely different, both truck in alienation, from themselves and the world. Frost does it inside the songwriter tradition, while Royal Trux twist blues and boogie rock to make their freaky stance. Ironically, both have enormous stage presence, especially Royal Trux, who have been known to conjure the darkest, weirdest moments of the Rolling Stones pretty successfully. No matter what they do, it’s unlikely either of these acts will be hitting the Top 40 soon. But that’s all the more reason to love them.