Notes To Note

Juliette Commagere

August 26, 2009

A few nights ago, I went to the Pete Yorn concert at the Fillmore. Pete was wonderful. Excellent, just as expected; but the real shock came before he even got on stage. His opener, Juliette Commagere, was like nothing I’d ever heard before…in a good way! 

Her sound has a very pop-art, electronic feel to it. It’s vividly orchestrated as she sings with an entire stage of backup instruments including the horns, strings and tambourines. The combination is captivating, yet light, drawing similarities to artists like Goldfrapp and even Bjork.   

Juliette first spent several years fronting the energetic indie rock band, Hello Stranger, alongside her high school sweetheart, Joachim Cooder (son of Ry Cooder). Their band toured the world with big names like the Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon before Juliette decided to move on in a new direction. 

In the Los Angeles Times, Juliette describes her change by saying “Sounds corny but it’s true…I think everybody, artists and non-artists, has got to keep creating or else life seems pointless”. In attempt to try something a little different, she lent vocals to songs for Puscifer and Avenged Sevenfold, and then shortly after, began writing for her solo album. 

Her solo debut released in 2008 titled, Queens Die Proudly, has received excellent reviews. The album is lyrically pretty dark, so she says she wants to make a “lighter” second album to balance it out. She’s even mentioned collaborating with her brother, Robert Francis, also a singer/songwriter. Either way, I can’t wait to hear what she does next!

She is now touring with Pete Yorn and a band she put together from Cragslist ads (how cool is that!?), and says she loves it. Below are two of my favorites, but the album is definitely one to play all the way through. Let me know what you think!

Juliette Commagere – Hearts

Juliette Commagere – Overcome 

Juliette’s myspace

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Tags: electronic, Heart, Hello Stranger, instrumental, Juliette Commagere, Overcome, Queens Die Proudly, singer/songwriters, What I'm listening to