Cassandra Jenkins

Cassandra Jenkins is the bassist in Eleanor Friedberger's new touring band (who hit the road properly in June), but her solo material sounds as if it comes from a different planet altogether. The first song off her forthcoming debut EP, "Up in Flames", has the air of the theme to Midnight Cowboy rewritten as the music for a new age ritual, the kind that calls for crystals to be draped from your wrist while walking in methodical circles and divesting secrets around an incense-ridden fire (i.e. the kind from a great Rookie photoshoot). Not to give the impression that it's at all airy or ethereal; there's a strong pastoral folk tradition to the emerald green-glowing guitar work here, which takes its time building with Jenkins' calling coo towards an elegantly celestial climax. The words are scant-- "Let her go/ Up in flames"-- but Jenkins knows how to leave an impression. - Pitchfork

On this week's All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton settle into the new NPR Music offices and discover that it comes with their very own butler. After bumbling around in the studio, they also manage to figure out all the new gear and share some great new music.

Things kick off with a strange tale from the playful pop group about a man who falls in love with a cyborg. Then the fabulously quirky singer and guitarist artist of the and hip-hop producer and rapper collaborate on a surprising new project they call .

Also on the show: A richly layered cut from the remarkable guitarist ; the smoky voice of newcomer ; a long-overdue new album from the strangely alluring rock group ; and British singer-songwriter has a heartbreaking new song called "Where Can I Go."

Keep listening: At the end of the show Bob and Robin play an audio clue that adds to a growing mystery on the web pointing to a new album from ... an unnamed band. Very mysterious. - NPR: All Songs Considered

What You Need To Know: Singer-songwriter Cassandra Jenkins tapped into an oft-ignored topic — taxidermy — for her song "Rabbit." It was commissioned by Esopus and featured in an issue of the magazine which asked musicians to write a song inspired by one of their personal belongings. Listen to the track and see if you can spot which lyrics are derived from the Wallace Stevens poem, “A Rabbit as King of the Ghosts.” - SOUND CHECK WNYC

Eleanor Friedberger and TEEN's tour came to a close with a hometown show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday (6/28). The show was opened by Cassandra Jenkins who also plays bass in Eleanor's band. Pictures from the whole show are in this post. - Brooklyn Vegan