I knew next-to-nothing about Brooklyn-based Jennifer O'Connor when I headed over to Great Scott to see her open up for Portastatic last October, aside from the fact that she was on Matador Records, and that fact alone generally promises someone worth hearing. I hadn't done my aural research, had no idea if I was in for solo singer/songwriter or full-band action, for something rockin' or folky or entirely different. When I walked in the door during her first song, it was just her and her guitar, and as her voice pulled me in I could only scramble to get my recorder going. After that beautifully low-key solo start, an impressive backing band (which included Portastatic's Margaret White) joined her for the rest of the set, and by the time they were through I was pretty grateful I was there early enough to catch it.
Jennifer is relaunching her own label, Kiam Records (on which she released her first two records) in order to start up a 7" vinyl subscription series. Each of the five singles will feature Jennifer collaborating with a guest artist on one song, and then either a new song by each of them or just one depending on available space. The limited edition series is $25 postpaid, and a small number of the 1000 pressed should be available at her shows.
The first 7", which teams Jennifer up with Boston's own Choo Choo La Rouge, should be out soon, and you can get the ordering details right here. The other collaborators include Dump (James McNew of Yo La Tengo), Mascott (aka Kendall Meade), Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, and Hotel Lights. As Jennifer says: "There will be a KIAM website soon enough and other releases as well."
As I mentioned, Jennifer O'Connor returns to Boston and the stage of Great Scott this Thursday, February 22nd, when she opens up for Kevin Devine. Also on the bill are aforementioned locals Choo Choo La Rouge and tourmates Pablo. Jennifer, Kevin, and Pablo continue on with Friday and Saturday shows in Northampton, MA and Hampton, CT. Check Kevin's tour page for details.
ye olde fine print... If anyone has an issue with this live set being made available, just say the word (contact info in the 'nac faq). Recorded with a Sony ECM-719 mic and a Sony MZ-RH10 minidisc, converted to .wav and then edited to 192kbps mp3s. Tracks are made available for a limited time, and are not reposted once removed.
