Behind Fiona Silver’s smile, there’s a full-on shout
Fiona Silver approaches the microphone with a guitar and a shy smile, but when she hits a power chord and starts singing, she has the emotional power to melt the coldest heart. Her wide-open vocals have the crackling electricity of early girl-group rock ’n’ roll with a hint of country twang, the rhythms of surf music and the phrasing of a 1940s jazz singer. On debut album Little Thunder, the production is dark and spooky, with a retro feel that gives the songs an ageless quality.
“I just love that old-time shiiit,” she exclaims. “Something about it pulls at my heartstrings. It’s passionate and dreamy.”
The music on the album is ominous but upbeat, matching the feel of songs that touch on abusive relationships, self-destructive behavior and the visceral joy of revenge.
“I lived through a pretty wide range of experiences while I was writing the songs for this album,” says Silver. “Heartbreak, grief, daydreaming, joy and love are all mixed up, but it’s important to have a balance. Each instrument, including my voice, is just a little part of the whole. The big picture is what matters.” A lifetime New Yorker, Silver focused on making music and performing at an early age.
“I’ve never had a day job, but I’ve done lots of odd jobs on the side, from babysitting to assisting stylists and makeup artists on shoots—all sorts of stuff,” she says. “I played in bands a bit in high school and didn’t go to college. I never regretted that decision, because there’s no degree in rock ’n’ roll. Over the years, my voice has gotten stronger, my lyrics have gotten more to the point, and the music has become more interesting. My ear and sense of music have really developed, because I work with great musicians.”
—j. poet
