JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD’S FULL-LENGTH DEBUT "WITH BLASPHEMY, SO HEARTFELT" DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 16 ON POLYMER SOUNDS
ALBUM PRODUCED BY DAN AUERBACH OF THE BLACK KEYS
“With the edge and attitude that Kurt Cobain possessed coupled with
a rich musical family history similar to Maybelle Carter’s, JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD IS
THE MOST EXCITING NEW ARTIST IN THE SCENE TODAY.†—Scott Avett
On September 16, Polymer Sounds will release Jessica Lea Mayfield’s first full-length album titled With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt. Named “Vocalist of the Year†in March by The Cleveland Free Times, Mayfield will begin a national tour in June opening for Lucero in San Diego and Los Angeles and The Black Keys in Dallas, New Orleans and Atlanta.
The album was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and recorded over a two-year span in his home studio in Akron. With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt features Mayfield on acoustic guitar and vocals, Auerbach on a variety of instrumentation and Mayfield’s brother (David) on upright bass. Dr. Dog’s Scott McMicken and Frank McElroy provide vocal harmonies on the track “I’m Not Lonely Anymore.†Says Auerbach of the recording experience, “I think she’s dark and moody in a mysterious way, not unlike Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.†He adds, “I’m just always really excited to make music with her.â€
The 18-year old first performed with her family band One Way Rider at the age of eight. In 2007, Mayfield lent her voice to the track “Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be†on The Black Keys’ album, Attack & Release, making her the first guest vocalist to appear on any record released by The Black Keys.
Monday, August 4
by MIKE SEELY
Lately, I've become sonically enamored of two young female vocalists, one from Toronto, the other from Akron. The 21-year-old from Toronto performs under the moniker Lights, is so skinny that the term "waif" is insufficient, and creates absolutely irresistible electro-pop. Lights has the marketing muscle of the L.A.-based Agency behind her, which probably explains why her "Last Thing On Your Mind" served as the soundtrack for the Old Navy commercial that was ubiquitous during the inaugural season of Gossip Girl. She's the artist Ashlee Simpson wishes she could be. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Jessica Lea Mayfield is the anti-Lights. Mayfield hails from a Rust Belt city in Ohio, and her connections are decidedly indie; her debut album, With Blasphemy [So Heartfelt], was produced by sometime-collaborator Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, and her languorous, understated, and often dark sound can best be described as Hope Sandoval meets Jim James meets Neko Case. My sense is that while Lights' rocket ship to the stars is nearing takeoff, Mayfield will be the one who still has a career 20 years from now.
Jessica Lea Mayfield - With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
by DON YATES
This 18-year-old Ohio singer-songwriter follows up her initial EP with a remarkable full-length of dark indie folk-rock filled with memorably haunting songs delivered with an aching, sultry vocal style reminiscent of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval. Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys (she sang a duet with him on their last album), With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt is one impressive debut.
video by Crackerfarm
video by Crackerfarm