Sierra Ferrell Offers First Taste of New Music
We’ve been warning your ever since the West Virginia gypsy jazz ragtime roots country songbird Sierra Ferrell signed to Rounder Records last August that she was one to have on your short list for the next breakout artist from the independent country and roots realm. And while those who’ve been digging into her numerous videos or Bandcamp releases need no formal warning, any holdouts can get a healthy dose of what the Mountain Queen is all about with her first official singles, “Why’d Ya Do It” and “Jeremiah” that have just been released.
Featuring her Old World charm and compelling warble, Sierra seductively calls out the fool’s heart on the solo-written “Why’d Ya Do It” featuring an excellent ensemble of musicians that includes Chris Scruggs on the pedal-less steel guitar, Stu Hibberd on electric guitar, and Nate Leath on fiddle. More of an amalgam of all roots influences as opposed to any one of them exclusively, it’s a good illustration of the command Sierra Ferrel brings to many musical styles with a natural confidence and ease that is nearly unequal.
But if you’re looking for something a bit more on the country side from Sierra, “Jeremiah” about a beau with a wandering eye who risks losing his woman that is also written by Ferrell has you covered with its Appalachian country flair. Produced by Stu Hibberd along with Gary Paczosa similar to “Why’d Ya Do It,” Sarah Jarosz shows up to add banjo, mandolin, and harmony vocal to the track.
Sierra Ferrell was hoping to release her debut record in 2020 and tour extensively behind it. But of course with COVID-19, a crimp has been put in these plans. Nonetheless, “Why’d Ya Do It” and “Jeremiah” will hopefully tide fans over and keep the momentum flowing in Ferrell’s direction until a formal debut record can be released.
For some, Sierra Ferrell has been on their radar for a while. Her Gems on VHS video posted in early 2018 now has over 3 million views, and is where many were first clued into her magical Appalachian country/gypsy style. Along with being signed to Rounder Records, Ferrell is also being booked by the Paradigm Talent Agency, and is managed by Dolphus Ramseur of The Avett Brothers fame.
Expect Sierra’s debut Rounder album in 2021.
October 23, 2020 @ 9:14 am
I just love her music, can’t wait to see her live some day. Will wait.
October 23, 2020 @ 9:20 am
I like this, it’s different. Her voice is very similar to pop singer Mo’s voice, but with a little twang.
Thanks
October 23, 2020 @ 9:40 am
Fuck. Yes. Can’t wait for the whole album.
October 23, 2020 @ 11:14 am
Sierra is Extraordinary!
The teeniest vibe of Cher’s, Dark Lady, at the beginning of, Why’d Ya Do It.
Hope this one goes through the stratosphere.
Go get ’em Sierra!
October 23, 2020 @ 11:47 am
Oh MANNNNN ! How fresh-sounding is this ? I’ve been a fan for a while .( thanks to SCM and Trigger , of course ) ..this is just DELICIOUS . Accordion..?. ……damn …I think I may have to lay down .
October 23, 2020 @ 12:26 pm
I feel like Rounder has dropped the ball. Their release for Logan Ledger and now Sierra have just been delayed and pushed back… delayed and pushed back. I loved Logan’s record but the hype was damn near dead. I’ll be pre ordering this release as well but there’s no question that they have let some of the hype on Sierra dissipate as well.
October 24, 2020 @ 6:05 am
Yep. I’m really enjoying these two songs, but I don’t like cluttering my collection with singles.
The companies are doing all this dawdling with record releases, but who knows when coordinated touring will actually resume?
October 24, 2020 @ 9:00 am
I don’t think Rounder has ever really promoted their artists much, which is a shame. I also think the damn Trump Flu had something to do with it.
October 23, 2020 @ 2:13 pm
* I’ll bet all of the female “singers” of Nashville, are going to twitch, when they hear Sierra.
Sierra has actual, comes along once in a generation, talent.
March 16, 2021 @ 7:23 pm
You are so right. “Once in a generation”. She’s the Amy Winehouse of country music(minus the trainwreck).
October 23, 2020 @ 10:07 pm
Oh hell yes. The front porch “Jeremiah” is flawless, but it’s fun to hear it with more instrumentation. Her voice is just pure solid gold.
October 24, 2020 @ 2:50 am
This stuff sound light modern takes on cowboy songs from Hollywood western musicals. I am diggin this.
October 24, 2020 @ 5:47 am
I like.
October 24, 2020 @ 9:13 am
im a fan. love the stripped down performances ive been watching on youtube…not so sure i like the production behind her here…not as penetrating. There’s something about a singer with just her guitar and voice.
October 27, 2020 @ 3:40 pm
I’m enjoying While We Were Home, Olds. “Rusty Hammer” is currently my favorite. Thanks for the great music!
October 28, 2020 @ 4:25 am
thanks !! appreciate the listens.
October 24, 2020 @ 2:52 pm
Sierra Ferrell is one of the discoveries I’m most grateful to this website for. She’s got the “it” like the ocean’s got salt. She could be a nerd, a hipster, a computer geek, a yuppie, a religious fanatic, a homemaker – it wouldn’t detract one iota from her charisma.
October 26, 2020 @ 8:03 am
Hell. Yeah.
October 30, 2020 @ 8:12 am
she plays with the phrasing as well as anybody.
hard to top the live gems on vhs version of jeremiah, with that excellent nameless guitar player, but this is very good.
October 30, 2020 @ 9:00 pm
One in a million voice, right up there with Colters and Sturgills. This girl is going to be something special.
October 31, 2020 @ 2:04 pm
She is amazing and has a very wide repertoire genre wise. And at least I here Latin American jazz rhythms in for example “Why’d Ya Do it” ( I guess that’s what you call “Gypsy Jazz) And she is a very good singer.
December 29, 2020 @ 8:54 pm
Iwish i was younger, and could share her musical talents. A rare and versitale modern gypsy! An entertainer’s entertainer. I’m in love!
January 29, 2021 @ 6:22 pm
I described her to my daughters as like a cross between Bridget Jones, Frida Kahlo and Amy Winehouse, wrapped up in Tammy Wynette. Her video for “The Sea” was refreshingly un-selfconscious and wonderfully daft. I like her music and her style a lot.