A couple of days ago I wanted to post about Dear Nora's debut album, 2001's We'll have a time. Looking for a bit of background information I clicked on the band link on the Magic Marker Records website. I like surprises, but this was a bizarrely unpleasant one. Instead of the beauty of indiepop my eyes were exposed to a website with pictures of rape- and incest-sex. What the...?
I wrote an e-mail to Magic Marker to ask how it's possible they're linking to a seemingly illegal hardcore porn website, but I guess the subject words I used sent it straight to their trashcan. Mystery unsolved.
Anyway. Dear Nora. We'll have a time. One of my favourite winter evening albums.
The album was produced by Amy Linton (Henry's Dress, The Aislers Set) and she gave the record a nice lo-fi-but-clear sound. From start to finish, it's only 26 minutes short. Lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Katy Davidson writes instantly memorable indiepop songs. Add to that a simple but strong performance with some jangly guitars, pretty harmonies and an innocent but garagy feel to it all, and you get an idea of what sound to expect.
I just got home from work, turned on the heater, lit some candles and crashed in this chair. Dinner can wait. I need to relax first, and We'll have a time is perfectly soothing after a long day of stress.
Thank you, Dear Nora.
Change your website address, please?
(For the sickly curious: www.dearnoramusic.com is NOT correct)
Download (Mediafire)
1. Dear Nora - Since you went away
2. Dear Nora - Rollercoaster
3. Dear Nora - Everyone's the same
3 comments:
I do know a bit about Dear Nora. I used to see them play nearly every other week at the Magic Marker house. They were by far my absolute favorite Portland, OR (USA) indiepop band.
Ok, maybe I don't know anything especially helpful (aside from reinforcing the fact that they were absolutely supreme!), but I do have a collection of their early demos/recordings from Katy Davidson on tape (well, cd-r).
The songs are some of their best and, in my opinion, may even outshine those that eventually wound up on their full length Magic Marker debut.
I'm glad to see there are others out there that remember this truly amazing pop band so fondly! Dear Nora are definitely one of my all time absolute favorites!!!
I'm jealous! I've never seen them play live. You made me curious with those early recordings... I must try to find some of those!
well, yes-- she sold cassette tapes in portland for a while, and my friend worked at the store she sold them in (that's how he found them). it's so completely random, i know--
goodness, i really ought to figure out how to get those your way as they're well worth a listen.
Portland had/has a really fine indiepop scene when i lived there.
Before there was the thermals, hutch and kathy played in a band called urban legends. And then there was kissing book, i live the life of a movie star secret hideout, boycrazy, all girl summer fun band, the softies and more.
and the best part was, they all played house shows at the magic marker house, along with out of town bands like poundsign, the lucksmiths, mates of state, push kings, etc.
you might want to check out "a house full of friends"-- the cd that encapsulates that community/scene on Magic Marker Records.
personal disclaimer: i was in a pop band that was on the disc too-- i'm certainly not trying to push that, but i have fantastic memories of all that great music in such a fun, intimate setting.
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