Audio By Carbonatix
One of the most memorable turns of phrase from the past few years of
original rock music has to be “Jesus saves, I spend,” from St.
Vincent’s 2007 debut full-length Marry Me. Born Annie Clark, the
26-year old multi-instrumentalist — who has toured as a guitarist
with the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens — grew up in the
Bible belt and now lives in Brooklyn. She’s been making major waves
recently, having sold 30,000 copies of her eclectic, passionate debut
(which juxtaposed indie rock, gospel, southern folk, jazz and classical
music), and she’s already getting critical praise for the
similarly-pleasing Actor, just out on Beggar’s Banquet. Earlier
this month, the New York Times said St. Vincent (who sings,
plays piano, guitar and even bass at her shows) possesses “the voice
and bearing of a retro chanteuse and indie cred.” Clark — perhaps
the female answer to Andrew Bird — has been writing and
performing music half her life, and the intensity and exceptional skill
that comes along with that kind of commitment is even more apparent at
her shows.
