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Artist
Christa Couture
12+ albums
under 2000 listenersfolksinger-songwriterindiepiano
about
Christa Couture’s new album is as difficult to sum up in a few words as the Mona-Lisa-like expression on her face on the cover shot. To say that it’s about “maturing through loss” will sound terribly cliché to those unfamiliar with her story; Couture is an adolescent cancer survivor whose last album was inspired in part by the death of her infant son … and who has had to endure even more loss as she’s sought to get back on her feet. And yet, to say it’s inspired by such tragedy leaves one singularly unprepared for the sound: bright, beautifully-orchestrated indie folk; sweet, idiosyncratic vocals reminiscent of artists like Regina Spektor and Jane Siberry; a luscious palette of sonic styles – fuzzy guitar, bluegrass-style pickin’, soulful cello, quirky chorus-like vocal arrangements and a touch of cabaret – and not a moment of self-indulgence to be found. Produced by Steve Dawson, The Living Record is ultimately an album about living - the aftermath of loss interwoven with new wisdom and experiences. The lead track and first single, “You Were Here in Michigan,” captures the moment Couture first felt happiness again, dancing naked in the rain at an American artists’ retreat. “Paper Anniversary,” a duet with Jim Byrnes, is an exquisite love song for Couture’s husband. And “Pussycat Pussycat” is a vampy recollection of the year Couture spent in London. And then there are the songs about carrying on. “Parasite” is an electric guitar-driven indie-roots-rocker abo
