Fiona Apple Returns to Austin

For those of us who were growing up in the 90's Fiona Apple will always hold a special place in our hearts. When I heard she was playing SXSW this year my heart lept and I vowed to stand in whatever line I had to for as long as I needed to, to see her. Her performance definitely lived up to my expectations in March. She was obviously nervous and not very comfortable on stage, especially during the parts on the songs that she didn't have anything to sing or play. She doesn't command the audience's attention and make you bask in the power of her ego. What she does is bare her soul. She seems incredibly vulnerable as she sings and you can tell that she feels every word that comes out of her mouth. She played songs that spanned her entire career, with a heavy helping of songs from her 2012 release, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.

If you're not a fan of Fiona, seeing her live performance probably won't change your mind but if you felt like she was the only person who understood you in High School then you can't miss your chance to see her tomorrow night. Fiona Apple will take to the stage at ACL Live Thursday night and there are still some tickets available. It is a highly rare opportunity to see her perform so don't assume you'll catch her next time she's in Austin.


Fiona Apple - Every Single Night video via YouTube

Playing the support slot tomorrow night, will be Fiona Apple's touring guitarist Blake Mills. Blake is only 25 years old but has already established himself as one of the best session musicians working on the west coast. He has sat in with Dawes, Lucinda Williams, Cass McCombs and many others. He has already performed on Conan and with this Fiona Apple tour under his belt, his star is sure to rise. His latest record is called Break Mirrors and features some really great personal singer-songwriter stuff in the vein of Eliot Smith through a slightly Americana filter. He'll take the stage around 8pm tomorrow with Fiona following around 9:15p.


Blake Mills - Heart of Mine video via YouTube

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Fiona Apple April Foolery

So, it's tough to blog on April Fool's day because everyone is being very clever with the jokes and such. However, joke or not I'm excited to report that Stereogum has hopped on board my attempt to bring back Fiona Apple. You may recall that I was starting some #rumors about a new song from Fiona Apple well maybe I was just having a premonition or maybe this is a Truman Show-esque turn of events. Either way here is a newly unearthed cover song from Fiona, originally by Cy Coleman:


Fiona Apple - Why Try To Change Me Now video via YouTube

Don't get me wrong I'm excited to hear something new from Fiona Apple but in my little fantasy she was working with a hot new producer that would help her make something totally new. My first thought was Mark Ronson he's sort of the hot producer of '07 but I really like the idea of a throwback Motown sort of Fiona. I don't want Fiona to sound-like or end up like Amy Winehouse, try to focus more on the production aesthetics. This is from Mark Ronson's album Versus, which is on an evil corporate label that doesn't allow embedding of their YouTube content. It should be easier to focus on the sound aesthetics watching this kid spaz out. Thanks evil corporations:


Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Originally by the Zutons) video via YouTube

Here's the Zutons' original Valerie, which is also owned by faceless corporate subsidiaries but who doesn't love Jools Holland?:


the Zutons - Valerie video via YouTube

I guess for Extraordinary Machine Fiona tried working with a hip-hop producer in Jon Brion. Maybe the stark, electronic, post-millenial, orchestrally-flourished, pastoral-rock of Nigel Godrich would be a better fit? I just made up a word or two back there. Here's a nice example of the Godrich 'signature sound'(Also owned by corp-d-bags):


Beck - Paper Tiger video via YouTube.

The rumor that seemed most believable to my Twitter maniacs was the lie that Fiona was joining an even newer Jack White band. Are we ready for a raw, country/blues-rock/bluegrassy Fiona?


Jack White & Loretta Lynn - Portland, OR video via YouTube

Perhaps, what we really need is a Fiona, Robert Plant and T-Bone Burnett collabo? Sorry A. Krauss you're out, we're putting in the Apple.


Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone, Gone, Gone video via YouTube

We're just happy to hear from you again Fiona.

<3, birkley3030 (AustinBloggyLimits)

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Hey, Fiona. Whatcha doin'? Miss ya. <3 ABL

Hey Fiona Apple,

Haven't heard from you in awhile, just wondering what yer up to? Are you still talking to Sony? Did you hear about what Radiohead did? Or Nine Inch Nails? Maybe you could by-pass the whole industry and just send us something your workin' on? Remember when you first came out and it was like you and Pearl Jam were the only ones with integrity? I just re-bought Ten as like a totally awesome video game. Then a threw up a little in my mouth a little...at home
drawing pictures...
of mountain tooops
with ME on top,
lemon yellow sun.

Seriously though Fiona, I want you back in my life. You need to like get a Twitter or something. I worry 'bout you. I hope you're eating right!

Love,
birkley3030 (AustinBloggyLimits)

Video after the jump y'all...


Fiona Apple - Fast As You Can video via YouTube


Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer video via YouTube


Fiona Apple - Not About Love video via YouTube

Matt Lauererer Cameo...this is from like 4-5 years ago now!


Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine video via YouTube

Are y'all feelin' this yet? Or do you need another classic?


MIT Resonance - Sleep to Dream video via YouTube

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