I have a confession for the masses.  Lizzy Grant [Myspace] is one of my new favorite artists.  Her stunning performance during CMJ inspired me (Shawn and Tom, too!) to attend her show on Tuesday night at the National Underground in New York City.  And the setting was quite fitting – a dank, brick-exposed cellar with dozens of sweaty fans eager to absorb her old-fashioned cool.

Armed with a distinct voice to melt and enough reverb to drown, the sultry chanteuse charmingly ambled through an abbreviated set of infectious original compositions.  Through cheek-creasing grins, she pleased with songs like “Trash Magic,” “Jump,” and “Yayo.” However, it was “Mermaid Hotel” with its teasing lyrical couplet, “Will you salute me Miss America, cos I am,” which elicited the most frequent crowd outbursts.  Once the music ended, the audience still craved more and demanded an encore; Grant obliged with “Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven),” her strongest tune and likely single.

Buy her three-song Kill Kill EP via iTunes.  Right now! [link]

Show Notes from Shawn M. Smith: Despite being crippled by a “terrible stage fright” as she would describe it, there is a certain “something” about Lizzy that I really connect with. Maybe its growing up poor-ish in Upstate NY and how the whole “trailer park darling” aspect makes so very much sense to me. Perhaps it is that I relate to her lyrics in second hand way; most of her lyrical content sounds like the secret fears and the protected diary entries from a little girl’s stolen journal. Maybe it’s her style and delivery, but her take on jazz fusion/art pop is easy to listen to in much the same way that Lizzy is easy to look at. She’s a stunning girl; the sweet, quiet girl-next-door who never realized how pretty she was. She’s the type that didn’t need to run around chasing boys just to feel attractive, but she did it for the fun of it. That she’s that earnest at times is unnerving, but I dig that about her.

Show Notes From Tom W: I had never heard of Lizzy Grant before Tuesday night, when Shawn M. Smith urged me to go check her out. I came to the show knowing literally nothing about her but I left wanting to know a lot more. Walking into the crowded rock-lined basement was like stepping onto the set of Mad Men. Lizzy’s entire set made me feel as if I were in some smoky early ’60′s lounge; her voice is from a different era and her presence, naturally coy and shy, gives off this slightly plastic, slightly Warholian feel. The best song for me was undoubtedly “Mermaid Hotel”. It was downright sexy. Backed by a subdued band that was a perfect compliment to Lizzy and her demeanor, this performance was one of the best I’ve seen in some months. Check out Lizzy now, when you can still see her in an intimate and cozy venue because she is unlikely to be playing them for long.

Last 5 posts by Elie Z. Perler

• Daily Dose - Thursday Linkage - April 30th, 2009
• Daily Dose - Tuesday Linkage - April 28th, 2009
• Daily Dose - Monday Linkage - April 27th, 2009
• Daily Dose - Thursday Linkage - April 23rd, 2009
• Daily Dose - Tuesday Linkage - April 21st, 2009