Congrats to Anais Mitchell & Grace Potter

I mentioned "Purple Cows" in Vermont in my previous blog. Two more "Purple Cows" (meaning remarkable artists) are Anais Mitchell and Grace Potter. Both have had the good fortune (if being on a record label today is good fortune?) of being signed to their respective labels (Grace on Hollywood Records and Anais on Righteous Babe Records). Anais just came out with a new record and Grace will release her new record in June. I have had the opportunity to hear the first track off Grace's record, "Tiny Light", and watch the video for it. Totally awesome! She hits a high E in chest voice. And to think that once upon a time the industry thought no one could hit a high E in chest voice except Christina A. Not so. I saw Grace in the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret as a senior in high school. Even then (which was not that long ago) she took command of the stage. I can't help but think her choral work and her theatrical work in high school propelled her forward. I can't wait to hear the entire album. Anais Mitchell's new release, Hadestown (a folk opera based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice) is an ambitious and exciting project. I love the track, "Why We Build The Wall". And--she has great guests that include Ani Difranco, Greg Brown, and Bon Iver to name a few. Speaking of guest artists, both young ladies made a vocal appearance on Gregory Douglass' (another Purple Cow in my opinion) last release, "Battler". Gregory will open for Anais at the Hooker Durham Theatre in Brattleboro, VT, May 7, 2010. Congratulations to Anais & Grace!!