Despite being held up in Vermont due to a hellacious winter storm - canceling her '80s cover band Sputnik's performance - singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell managed to shell out some time for The Spectrum before her upcoming performance this Friday at Nietzsche's.
For those unfamiliar with her work, who better to describe it than Mitchell herself?
"I'm a songwriter of the Dylan school," she said. "My records are rooted in that folky, songwriter tradition but with some indie influences."
Mitchell's latest album "The Brightness," her first release with Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records, is a self-confessed evolution of sound and writing. Since the release of her earlier works "The Songs They Sang...When Rome Fell" and "Hymns For The Exiled," she has not only had time to grow up, but has also perfected her craft.
"'The Songs They Sang' was a document of my life, it wasn't sophisticated in my mind," said Mitchell. "With the new record we had time to reflect and make every choice a conscious one. I feel that it's more reflective of the new me."
Mitchell explained the tone of the album.
"There's this sense of frustration that runs throughout, but not in an aggressive but a sweet way."
Even though she has recently been added to the Righteous Babe roster, she had nothing but the kindest of words for her previous label, Waterbug Records, and their head honcho Andrew Calhoun.
"Andrew would find these amazing songwriters who couldn't play a stage show for shit and touch them up and support them whereas most others wouldn't take the time to do something like that," said Mitchell.
Mitchell also had some kind words for the most righteous of babes, Ani Difranco.
"I grew up listening to Ani," said Mitchell. "Listening to her music was a coming of age experience for me. She was such an inspiration. She paved the way for a lot of people."
As Ani Difranco made it a point to be different and never shy away from expressing herself in her music, Mitchell appears to be following in her footsteps. Her socially, politically, and romantically driven songs speak volumes as to the kind hearted person that she is and how she views this thing we call life.
Mitchell also had some choice words for the corporate music world and how they've changed the aesthetic aspect of music for the worse.
"When I grew up, a musician was supposed to be a f*ckin freak show," said Mitchell. "I feel that this weird cross marketing thing has bled into the corporate world and has made no difference between a model and an artist. The corporate world has lead to the devolution of our culture."
And she didn't stop there.
"They should go and make themselves irrelevant. No one will pay attention to them down the line...I hope."
The emotional warmth that Mitchell exuded was enough to melt any amount of snow. Her music is powerful, gripping, and heartfelt
The singer will be performing at Nietzsche's, located at 248 Allen St., Friday at 9 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
