Neko Case, k.d. lang and Laura Veirs combine and create, despite their differences
There may have been tensions in the studio, but lang, Case and Veirs are hitting the road to promote their new album, which marries classic American songcraft with ethereal harmonies
When singer-songwriter k.d. lang had a notion to form a supergroup, her inspiration was the Travelling Wilburys, an act that counted Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne as members.
So she shot emails to two contenders: Neko Case, whose breathtaking lyricism and soaring voice has leaped out of speakers since her 1997 solo debut, and Laura Veirs, whose delicate guitar melodies and way with a phrase have earned her acclaim and devotion.
Both had a similar reaction.
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“Come on, you’re not going to say no to that,” says Veirs, who jumped on the project despite having had her second baby that same week. “That’s a lot to take on, but I’m not going to say no.”
Case describes receiving the message: “I remember replying to it before I even finished reading it.”
The result of that invite is the new trio album case/lang/veirs, 14 songs that marry classic American songcraft with ethereal three-part harmonies and wondrous lyricism.
But that doesn’t mean the process was all roses.