Take Amanda Palmer covering Radiohead and then take Phoebe Legere and drain out the jazz and replace it with Jenny Lewis circa The Execution Of All Things and then throw on some fishnet stockings and you have Sweet Soubrette aka Ellia Bisker.
Ellia came outta the cabaret in 2006 and found her bearings with what is, somewhat fun ishly, dubbed indie pop,. In 2008 Ellia released her first album Siren Song to positive reviews by those who have heard it. Just a girl and her ukelele and a brace of chewy pop songs.
January 8th 2011, the follow up, Days And Nights, is released. This time she has a full band and the songs have texture and beauty. At least the thing of wonder “All That Glitters” which sure sounds like it is just waiting to be discovered on Gossip Girl. An ode to a sugar daddies and expensive tastes, it has me opening my wallet. The bluesy “Tenderness” isn’t as obvious as the title might appear (“My tenderness has teeth”!!).
Promises well for the newbie and there is a release party Saturday (yes) July January (I know) 8th at Bowery Poetry (one of my fave clubs in the city)7p – 10p.
I’m trying to get my name on the press list but if I fail I’ll invest ten bucks.
One more thing, soubrette?
a. A saucy, coquettish, intriguing maidservant in comedies or comic opera.
b. An actress or a singer taking such a part.
2. A young woman regarded as flirtatious or frivolous.
Er, quite.