"Every once in awhile, you’ll listen to something by an artist you’re completely unfamiliar with and suddenly, your ears perk up and you begin to listen a bit more closely, a bit more intently. And then suddenly, you’re in love. Meet Shenandoah Davis...possessing a style that lives somewhere within the blurry boundaries of neo-classicism, Davis’ music has been likened to that of harpist Joanna Newsom, although Davis’ key instrument is the piano. At times sparse and thankfully gloss-free, Davis’ songs feel as if they’ve lived in another century and fought their way back to the present day in order to tell their amazing stories." Womenfolk
"I get so excited hearing music by people with so much classical training, seeing how they employ their background in their own music. And it shows through here in all the best ways, while retaining this remarkable originality. I am amazed at how something can sound at once so familiar and so marvelously unique.
Fabulist
"Don’t let Shenandoah Davis’s simplistic arrangements deceive you. With a voice like an old timey fiddle, she adds on contrapuntal guitar, piano and xylophone parts to round out the subtle symphony. “These Rocks” sounds like something Feist would come up with, only better. “Now We All All” shows off the sheer power of conviction present in her vocals, matched only by the powerful bang with which she hits the final low piano key. “Take Ourselves Out” plays like a Parisian cobble stone street dance. “Well Well Well” has an air of Vaudeville about it, if Vaudeville took place under water. In fact, it’s here where the simplistic arrangements clear away like a pair of heavy velvet curtains to expose the true playful mastery of Davis’s compositions. This happens just in time for the quick, trotting piano and castanet arrangement of “Milagros.” “Skeletons” finishes it all off—a dark, lonely waltz that takes the album full circle, back to the simple basics of vocals and piano, as the heavy curtains close once again."
Kim Ruehl, Seattle Sound
"It begins as a plinking piano, almost too shy to carry on and is followed by a unique voice just on the verge of cracking, but hangs on the precipice - never quite falling off. The sound expands with new layerings of that voice, making it stronger, broadening the knife’s edge, and becoming a solid foundation when shored up by classical strings and further layerings of piano. Even with a solid footing, the music still teeters somewhere between folk, classical and ragtime."
Kevin LeDoux, Seattle SubSonic
"Shenandoah Davis moved to Seattle about a year ago, bringing her solo music project that blends together "classical piano, folk, klezmer, and ragtime." Now, fans of Joanna Newsom have a local act to love (although Davis doesn't play the harp). As her description promises, the song "We, Camera" involves vintage, plinking piano pulled straight from what you'd expect to hear booming from an early-1900s-era bar. The piano takes a more classic and dramatic turn in "Our Favorite Idols," boasting a sweeping, beautiful tone. The star of every song, though, is Davis's unique voice that is as hard to like as Newsom's. But after a few listens, it's easier to embrace its "always on the verge of breaking" tone, especially when paired with music just as peculiar."
Megan Seling, The Stranger
"The {we; camera} video was directed by Clyde Petersen, and Britta Johnson, who has also lent her skills to videos for artists such as Mirah, helped with the cute little fabric (at least I THINK it's fabric) birds...But what was really astounding about the whole evening was how quiet the whole room became as soon as Shenandoah started playing. She sings like a bird, and her piano playing is like a sort of whimsical, melancholy saloon piano. Less jangle, more trill."
Sara Brickner, Seattle Weekly
"I could make comparisons to the sing along simplicity of one indie superstar, and the much-adored quirkiness of another, but to summon such names would feel like an injustice."
See What You Hear
I have been listening to your songs tonight. It always brings me to a special place. How is everything out there? We dovekins are going to start on a new album and will be hibernating this winter. Are you coming out this winter at all?
Bonjour Thanks for the friendly add I like your musical universe and your good sound Best wishes from France (Follow me on twitter.com/pascal95 ) Pascal
Dear Chattahootchee - Happy to see there are some shows coming up to come out and cheer you on. Enjoying those old song on Milagros still & sharing with friends! Cheers now and forthcoming ...
hey hey hey! Shanny! sorry i never called you back, that night i was asleep in a hotel in fort collins feeling like shit. So at the moment i am in Alaska with Paul from paper bird who got bit by a spider and is sick... but we listened to you singin that song with Jack and i got to thinkin about how i'd love to sing some songs with you again. hope you are well! xoxo
Hi! It was great to hear from you! It's been too long. How do you like Seattle? We should get together sometime! Do you come down to Portland much? I hope everything is going well. <3 Gaia
Hi Shenandoah! So happy you found us on the 61! Your music is absolutely lovely, and your We video is amazing!!! I've been trying to make a puppet stopmotion one, and am still in set/puppet making stage! Yours is inspiring! xox Heather
Dearest Shenny, You have a show tonight at the Rendezvous? Starts at 7? Yikes I want to go but a) I'm broke and b) might not be able to get there until 7:30... I hope that I can finagle this! How much is the cover and, will you pretty please start a little bit late so I can see you??? I'd love that. xo
Hello! I'm going to be up in Seattle on July 15th for a show at Studio 7 and I was hoping you could make it. :] If you're interested, tickets are $8 if you buy them before the 15th, or $10 at the door. There's more information on my page, or you could just send me a message if you're interested in getting a ticket. I hope you can make it!
