Choice Ladies
Five up-and-coming women of song, and the suburbs

by Paul Mick
Philly EDGE Correspondent
 
In our Greater Philadelphia metropolis of over 5 million people, covering a full 10 county region, you could say that of these five uncommonly gifted female singer/songwriters with an aggregate average age of just over 25, each is decidedly one in a million.

Dallin Applebaum, Irene Molloy, Krista Parrish, Laura Shay and Sharon Little, indie artists all, while clearly only a fraction of the current cavalcade of new women in song, do represent the Delaware Valley quite nicely.

The Northern suburbs, once considered a barren, bland urbane wasteland of strip malls and residential peripherals is clearly coming into its own with fully reconciled talents whose individual and collective artistry rivals that of their often higher profile, inner-city hipster sisters.

Thanks to a lot of help from MySpace, iTunes, YouTube, CDBaby along with affordable widespread broadband connections and multiple media communications convergence, welcome to the extended global village 2007.

Supportive clubs and coffee shops, combined with no less valued CD and book retailers, essentially get, and keep, our burgeoning scene rolling along smoothly.

None of this has been lost on us.

Nurturing these artists own good fortunes so far there is, of course, the supportive extended families, including the fans, assisting players, band members, recording engineers, producers, managers - all as good friends and as, perhaps, their greatest allies.

Bringing it all back home, it's always about balancing this often very delicate tedium when paying the hard-earned dues.

Actively building and sustaining a separate audience base has taken talent, timing, tunes and tenacity among other desirable skills. They have that, as well as their own alternately prim, informal and uninhibited good looks, in spades. 

While Dallin, Irene, Krista, Laura and Sharon are clearly neither newbies, full-on radio darlings (yet) or household names - it only takes a few listens to recognize that there's something quite compelling going on around here.

Five very committed individuals, each erudite and distinct in their gifts and more than prepared to work with their current, new and upcoming CDs, EPs and MP3s for live dates-a-plenty.

Gender and talent aside, 1997 - 1999's Lilith Fair and even 1998 - 2001's Voices on the Verge comparisons are somewhat unfair since those much heralded efforts, while clearly a template, were generated from an established hit maker in Sarah McLachlan, and significant AAA airplay (www.xpn.org) led by Erin McKeown and Jess Klein.

Simply put, these five female artists have been writing, singing and recording their own material for some time now, both near home and elsewhere, taking cues from acknowledged masters, their peers, mentors and even family members as much as their own fertile imaginations.

And, as with many great and once struggling musicians, these talents have developed, more over, from quite early ages.

Our select siren songstresses of the moment have at least a bare minimum total of 30 years in the music making.

You're reading about them now, so they must be doing something right.

The development of this Philly EDGE profile has lent itself to a bit of networking: Krista Parrish's booking agent, Linda Seybert, will soon offer a series of coordinated Philly EDGE media-partnered showcase events featuring all five talents. See www.lindaseybertpromotions.com for details.

Additional, expanded interview coverage including Q and As, links and more can be found at www.phillyedge.com

Dallin Applebaum, 21
Fort Washington

EPs:  Bittersweet and King's Highway (new release)

Style:  Palpable drama, rhythmic piano; Wurlitzer - harmonium with full-throated, note-sustaining, punctuated growl. Polyphonic, updated Bacharach-David; some lyrical non-sequiturs; a silkier Fiona Apple.

Other: Classically trained; completing third year as a Music Technology major at New York University; teaches rock and roll to 11-18 year-olds at Harcum Summer Music, NY; worked at WXPN; priorities: school, then performance; labels aren't a present concern; played in The Legend of Das Komet - a ska/punk/rock band; “Lump,” from new EP, is a tribute to Elliott Smith; recently added as vocalist in popular NY / Philly band, Funky Butter.

Philly EDGE: What three CDs might your fans be surprised that you whole-heartedly, thoroughly enjoy?
DA: Toxicity - System Of A Down; Birds Of Fire - Mahavishnu Orchestra; Phrenology - The Roots

PE: Name three very influential tie-ins to your music.
DA: I like to think it changes every couple of years. Obviously, classical music is a big one. I also read a lot of poetry... ee cummings, William Stafford, a lot of obscure poetry.
I get really inspired by some of my favorite movies too.
I hope some day to write music for a big movie. I love the music to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (by Jon Brion- producer of Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainright, Aimee Mann, etc.) and Donnie Darko (music by Michael Andrews, who is a producer of Gary Jules and used to be in some really cool bands).
I like the idea of concept albums... like Kid A by Radiohead. I always come back to this album because I like how it’s so visual. You hear it, and you can just see these images in your head.

PE: Name three songs you wish you'd written.
DA: Oh man… This is tough. …“Prelude/Fugue in C Minor” - J.S.  Bach; “Everything In It's Right Place” –Radiohead ; “Counting Blue Cars” Dishwalla

Shows:
Funky Butter at the Trocadero, 10th and Arch Sts. Philadelphia: April 12

Contact:
www.dallin-music.com 
www.myspace.com/dallinapplebaum

Irene Molloy, 28
Chalfont – Doylestown

EPs: Live at the Tin Angel, Irene Molloy, Miracles

Style: Disarmingly modal, natural vibrato, breathy, understated but elegant.
Gretchen Peters-ease, not nasal Shawn Colvin alt-country (solo); polished-soundtrack capable.

Other: New EP is due April 15; studied acting at Michael Howard Studio in New York; Certificate in music at Musicians' Institute in LA; Credits from UCLA; won Best of Philly Rising Oct. 2006; plays lead in all Patty Griffin musical 10 Million Miles previews May 11 at off-Broadway Atlantic Theater Company; starred on TV’s Andy Richter Controls The Universe, also Grosse Pointe (Beverly Hills:90210 spoof); hand-picked and personally trained by Andrew Lloyd Webber right out of Archbishop Wood; aptly named for Hello Dolly! character; married - daughter Nia (as in Shania) is 3.
“I love to have my daughter in my life, because she brings such undiluted joy to everything she does.”

PE: What three CDs might your fans be most surprised that you thoroughly, madly enjoy?
IM: Baduizm- Erykah Badu (one of my all-time faves); anything by Pink; anything by Pat Metheny
 
PE: Andy Richter has his third sit-com out now, Andy Parker, PI. What's the funniest thing he ever said to you?
IM: Andy's funny, but he's so dry.  Like, he's funny ALL THE TIME, so you don't even realize he's funny anymore, does that make sense? 
Even more than that, he's just a great guy- the kind everybody's comfortable around.  The thing I most remember him telling me, was, one day, the president of FOX (at that time) came down to our set to check out what we were shooting. I got nervous by this man's presence, and Andy told me that there was no reason to be nervous. He said that you should always treat everyone the same, president or janitor, or director or extra- it doesn't matter.

PE: Feel any pressure, or pride, when you learned that you were named for the Irene Molloy character as played by Marianne McAndrew in the 1969 film version of Hello Dolly! ?
IM: Always made me feel very special...and strange. I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s…It's not like I was named Cyndi (as in Lauper), or Stacey (as in Q).
No!  I was named after Irene Molloy of Hello Dolly!, a musical from the ’60s. Everyone mentions it when I go in for casting, and remembers me by it, so I love it.  I really appreciate my name- it's pretty strong!
I played (the character) "Irene Molloy" in high school. Everyone, of course, got a real kick out of the "Irene Molloy as... Irene Molloy" thing.

Shows:
World Café Live, Walnut Street, Philadelphia: March 28, 8 p.m.
5th Street Coffee, 5900 North Fifth St, Philadelphia: March 30, 8 p.m.
Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster: March 31

Contact:
www.myspace.com/irenemolloy

Krista Parrish, 27
Doylestown

CDs: Introspection is latest of four; new summer project underway.

Style: Upbeat and placid Taylor guitar folk pop alternates with helping of SoCal jazzy riffs and scat; Anglicized Dolores O' Riordan (Cranberries), The Corrs

Other: Has own music lesson business and teaches at Paul Green School of Rock; plays with guitarist father and brother, mom sang opera, parents society band paid the bills; Bucks County Community College music program grad; To be wed on May 8.

PE: Kindly inform what's on your iPod or CD player right now?
KP: The Shins, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, Ben Folds, Enya, John Mayer, Ella Fitzgerald and Kaki King
 
PE: Did you first begin singing at a church?
KP: I sang in church as a child. My first solo was in Second Grade at St. Ephrem's in Bensalem. I went on to sing many solos after that.
Though I do not sing in church anymore, I always sing for God.

PE: In parts, there's a jazzy component to your CD. Has that been an impediment or an advantage?
KP: Philly has a long and rich jazz tradition that continues to this day that is largely and sadly ignored, with the possible exception of European ears.
People take me more seriously as a musician, but there is a small market for jazz and that is why I incorporate other styles into my work. Sticking at one style has never been my thing. I get bored and need to change it up anyway.
 
Shows:
Puck Live, Printer’s Alley, Doylestown: March 23, 8 p.m.
Tin Angel, 20 S Second St., Philadelphia: May 26, 8 p.m.

Contact: 
www.myspace.com/kristaparrish 
www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristaparrish

Laura Shay, 24
Mayfair

CDs: To a Place, Stories Of My Life

Style: Sultry and frank, Roland keys, Yamaha, Takamine acoustic guitar; left of Norah Jones, right of Tori Amos

Other: Adjunct professor of interpersonal communication at Delaware Valley Community College; teaches at Huntington Learning Center, Pennington NJ; West Chester University grad.;
Wants others to know that for those paralyzed by the stigma of anxiety disorders that it's nothing to be ashamed of. She does take prescribed medications, and she refuses to let it run her life.
"Everybody's got something to deal with - this is just my thing."

PE: Who plays what in your band?
LS:  Dominic Cole: guitar; Andy McGowan: bass; Michael Litt: drums.
 
PE: How did you get to play music in a PA bar at 16? Aren't there laws against that?
LS: It's a tiny corner bar in the NE.  I was actually 17, and I only drank root beer (I swear on my Grandfather's grave!), and they just let me in for the open mic nights to play.  The bar owner assured my mother that I'd be well taken-care of, and that I'd never be served a drop of alcohol.
I was never a drinker anyway, still aren't much of one, and I was accompanied by a friend who was over 21, as well.  It's a small, family owned bar, so it wasn't a big deal. 

PE: What R.E.M tunes did you play at the benefit/tribute at Grape Street the other night?
LS: I played “Losing My Religion” and “Everybody Hurts.”  Two of my faves...  Check out www.myspace.com/phillyremtribute for a list of artists (who played).
I have a ton of covers I love to perform. The band and I were a little "famous" for covering "Not An Addict" by K's Choice a while back…I like to do lesser-known covers the most.  I'm not really a "Top-40" kind of girl.  Most of the artists I listen to and love aren't even played on the radio.  In fact, I never listen to the radio.

Shows:
Stevenson's Place Philadelphia: March 21, 10 p.m.
Grape Street Philadelphia, 4100 Main Street, Philadelphia: March 23, 7p.m.
American's Jam for the Homeless at The Woodbine, 1444 Route 73, Pennsauken, New Jersey: March 24, 7 p.m.

Contact:
www.laurashay.com
www.myspace.com/laurashay

Sharon Little, 26
North Wales

CD: Drawing Circles

Style: Smokey, inviting Memphis soul-lite, purrs more than Joss Stone, shouts less than Aretha Franklin.

Other: National tour opening for Austin-based rock-pop Bob Schneider, aka Sandra Bullock's ex. Co-writer with producer Scot Sax, who's been on RCA, recorded by Faith Hill, featured in American Pie, toured w/ Collective Soul, opened for The Who.

PE: What's on your iPod / CD player right now?
SL: I don't have either.
 
PE:  Name any films, plays, books, LPs that might've been inspirational or pivotal in forming your musical taste.
SL: Michael Jackson's Thriller album was the first record that I really got excited about, maybe that was an influence. Just the excitement.

PE: Could you mention what your current full-time / part-time other field(s) of employment are?
SL: Full-time musician.

Shows:
Puck Live, Printer’s Alley, Doylestown: March 21, 8 p.m.
World Café Live, Walnut Street, Philadelphia: April 14, 8 p.m.

Contact:
www.myspace.com/sharonlittle
www.cdbaby.com/cd/sharonlittle