In The Wilderness - Pekoe (2017)
Ideated from: it’s Bring Your Daughter To Blog week. She gave me a list of a whole week’s worth of things she wanted me to listen to.
I was thinking about doing a series on artist names that are essentially un-googleable. I wouldn’t have thought of Pekoe on this list, but it turns out it would be a good way to kick it off. It’s hard to find much about her, not because she’s particularly obscure, but because googling “Pekoe” gives you
- a type of tea
- an early-aughts japanese band called Orange Pekoe
- a coffee and tea bar in Boulder, CO
- another tea bar in Maryland
- an Animal Crossing character
- a line of American Standard kitchen faucets
- A random youtube result titled “18 Celebs Who Got Totally NAKED In Music Videos” (man, i don’t even want to know)
Anyway, whoever she is, she makes some whimsical and memorable chamber pop.
At first I had this pegged as twee and simple and pretty. Then the strings build and the piano crashes, and pretty soon you get something that sounds like a modern Sgt Pepper. Then the crescendo is done, and you’re back to gorgeous, whispy acoustic guitar balladeering.
Tracks I Liked
Pocket Watch - Very McCartney-ish. Clever and expansive, with some interesting rhythms.
Lantern In The Snow - a really standout track, even on a solid record. well-balanced and absolutely beautiful.
Wildflowers - a sweet, jazzy, upbeat piece that still manages to sound melancholy
