Sovereign Artists

Petra Haden is hot stuff right now. With eerie, highly produced a cappella covers of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” making the internet rounds at the moment, it’s time to acknowledge that the formerly obscure backup singer and violinist is actually the center of a pretty special galaxy: She’s performed in the bands for Beck, The Decemberists, Green Day, Weezer, Luscious Jackson and the Foo Fighters; she has a side project with her equally musical sisters, one of whom, Tanya, is married to actor Jack Black; and her most recent frontwoman effort was as arranger for a 10-woman choir performing songs by The Who. Something amazing is bubbling below the surface for her, so if you want in on the ground floor, start with this 2003 release with jazz guitarist Bill Frisell (did I mention she has a jazz pedigree, as the offspring of bassist Charlie Haden?), which wanders through a diverse and surprising catalogue of songs, including the least-cheesy version of “Moon River” on record, and a shockingly palatable turn at Coldplay’s “Yellow.” The sound is lush and full of heavy feedback—Frisell really pushes his sonic envelope on this one—with the transcendent moments reminiscent of the great work Matador put out about 10 years ago. 

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