Music
Press
Allie Peden's sacred/profane voice could only be American--as redolent of church choir practice in lemon oil polished pews as scratched blues 45s or stolen kisses in belly-high prairie grasses. Peden massages vowels like skin pressed to skin, fingers clenched fervently in prayer or the slow crawl of a lover's exploratory hand. She has an old voice, but the Nashville-based musician is still in her teens. - None
Esperanza Plantation record company artists Allie Peden, Jesse Coppenbarger of El Obo and Tommy Bryan Ledford will perform at the Powerhouse tonight starting at 9 p.m. However, the show not only will be a showcase of individual efforts, but of collaborations as well, on account of all artists playing their acoustic sets in a unique, in-the-round setting.
Peden, the folk songstress from Nashville, Tenn., usually can be found turning out piano-driven melodies laced with profound lyrics, as heard on her debut album, "With This Love." And though this album, as well as most of her other shows, are complete with a full band, Peden chirps with excitement about the show to come and getting the chance to just be alone with the music again, in addition to still being able to share the stage with three other amazing artists.
- The Daily Mississippian - Oxford, MS
Esperanza Plantation record company artists Allie Peden, Jesse Coppenbarger of El Obo and Tommy Bryan Ledford will perform at the Powerhouse tonight starting at 9 p.m. However, the show not only will be a showcase of individual efforts, but of collaborations as well, on account of all artists playing their acoustic sets in a unique, in-the-round setting.
Peden, the folk songstress from Nashville, Tenn., usually can be found turning out piano-driven melodies laced with profound lyrics, as heard on her debut album, "With This Love." And though this album, as well as most of her other shows, are complete with a full band, Peden chirps with excitement about the show to come and getting the chance to just be alone with the music again, in addition to still being able to share the stage with three other amazing artists.
- The Daily Mississippian - Oxford, MS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH3Gu8axlfY&feature=related - www.speakerheart.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH3Gu8axlfY&feature=related - www.speakerheart.com
Discography
"With This Love" LP released under the name "Allie Peden" in 2006 on Jackson, MS-based indie Label Esperanza Plantation (Colour Revolt, Bear Colony, Tommy and the Whale, Questions in Dialect). Produced by Mike Odmark (Tyler James, Daniel Ellsworth, "quote").
"Nashville" featured on Lightning 100 Local Artist Spotlight.
"Burrow" featured on promotional Speakerheart.com Podcast about her inspiration for writing the song.
"A Wreath of Four Candles" featured on Christmas Compilation "A Big Beard Christmas" produced/engineered by Mike Odmark
Alva Leigh debut LP to-be-released 2008/2009. Produced by John Painter of Fleming and John (Ben Folds, Patty Griffin, Tim Finn, Trail of Dead).
Photos
Bio
One might assume that it must be pretty intimidating for a musician to hail from the state of Mississippi, a land made famous by the likes of B. B. King, Elvis Presley, and Muddy Waters; however, Alva Leigh, a musician whose home is in Gulfport, shows no sign of insecurity in her roots. Singing engaging songs drawn from the milieu of the American South, she is a voice for a significant yet oft-forgotten culture. When she opens her mouth to sing, her voice becomes dark and worldly, her vowels long and begging, her melodies moody, and sitting behind a piano, she is electric. The candid, dusty anecdotes within each song seem to suggest a Deep South from the time of Faulkner, of black coffee, worn church pews, and faded summer dresses, all steeped in earthy, sacred imagery. It is possesses that which so much music lacks: an organic honesty. With her charm and disarming youthfulness, Alva Leigh has managed to capture the hearts of countless audiences.
Links
