Music like early Suzanne Vega?

December 27, 2016 6:09 PM

I'm looking for music like early Suzanne Vega, specifically with intelligent lyrics and sweeping, textured soundscapes, like Night Vision and Language. Any ideas?
posted by dmd to Media & Arts (18 answers total)

Jane Siberry - specifically, "No Borders Here", "The Speckless Sky" and "The Walking".
posted by davebush at 6:29 PM on December 27, 2016

Julien Baker?
posted by allelopath at 6:44 PM on December 27, 2016

Red Dirt Girl is a wonderful album by Emmylou Harris that might meet your criteria.
posted by griseus at 6:58 PM on December 27, 2016

Sam Phillips
posted by davebush at 7:05 PM on December 27, 2016

I'd never heard these songs, thanks for introducing me to them!

My suggestions:
Marika Hackman
Marissa Nadler
posted by naju at 7:13 PM on December 27, 2016

There is something about the July Flame album by Laura Veirs that reminds me of the first Suzanne Vega album. Here is the title track.
posted by little mouth at 7:20 PM on December 27, 2016

Trailer Park by Beth Orton
posted by 4ster at 7:22 PM on December 27, 2016

Over the Rhine - "Patience"
posted by davebush at 7:32 PM on December 27, 2016

Daughter
Sharon Van Etten
Lisa Hannigan
Miya Folick
Cat Power
Feist
posted by cnc at 7:41 PM on December 27, 2016

Maggie Rogers - Alaska
maybe? This is more dance she also has more singer-songwriter material plus with banjo. Here's the link to the adorable masterclass with Pharrell Williams
posted by Litehouse at 7:44 PM on December 27, 2016

In the early 90s there was a group called The Story which I think would be right up your alley. They only did two albums before they broke up but I think you'd like them, they are very Suzanne Vega-ish and with absolutely gorgeous harmonies.

Grace in Gravity, their first album. Particular highlights: "Grace in Gravity", "Always", "Over Oceans", "Love is More Thicker Than Forget" (an actual ee cummings poem).

Their second album, The Angel in the House (spot the Virginia Woolf reference and yes it's deliberate). Particular highlights: "So Much Mine", "At the Still Point", "In the Gloaming", "Love Song".

The singers, Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball, both went on to do solo work. I liked some of Brooke's - she was the main songwriter in The Story - but the similitude to early Suzanne Vega isn't really there.
posted by Athanassiel at 7:52 PM on December 27, 2016

Imogen Heap?
posted by erebora at 8:17 PM on December 27, 2016

Middle and late period Joni has both!

Hejira
Don Juan's Reckless Daughter
Come In From the Cold
posted by wemayfreeze at 8:32 PM on December 27, 2016

Early Indigo Girls, maybe Exile in Guyville Liz Phair, maybe Kirsty MacColl.
posted by frumiousb at 8:46 PM on December 27, 2016

Try Robin Holcomb, specifically the s/t one and especially ROCKABYE.

I'd say also _maybe_ Anais Mitchell's YOUNG MAN IN AMERICA. But I am not sure. You can get an idea of her sound here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shr47LVcA5I
posted by old_growler at 9:05 PM on December 27, 2016

Joanna Newsom!
posted by *s at 8:07 AM on December 28, 2016

Possibly Laura Marling.
posted by baseballpajamas at 10:37 AM on December 28, 2016

Check out The Paper Kites (YouTube Channel Link).

Mostly male lead vocals, with female harmonies, but a few songs are female lead. Some songs are very stripped down folk, and others are more highly produced, but they are all lyrically and musically rich and captivating, and bear repeated listening.
posted by The Deej at 5:45 AM on December 29, 2016