Search - Janel Leppin :: Songs for Voice & Mellotron

Janel Leppin is a cello virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist; an architect of acoustic and analog sound; a haunting and mythic singer with a sharp political consciousness, celebrated by the likes of Stephen O'malley, Nels Cline (Wilco), Marissa Nadler, Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio) among others. On the five tracks of Songs For Voice & Mellotron, Leppin draws from the songcraft of Bjork and Portishead, Ai Wei Wei's art, Sufi poetry, the HC DC punk and noise scenes that reared her. Leppin played everything herself, creating layers of guitar, cello, organ, harpsichord and much more, then added vocals. But she awes you with restraint: no stroke of percussion lands without impact, and her songs give you just enough melody to get wedged in your memory. Her skills as an improviser and contemporary classical artist shine through, giving the record it's aura of intrepid command.