Album Notes

Three years after The Devil I Once Knew, her Kimchee Records debut, Boston indie-rocker Heidi Saperstein brings ten new and relentlessly melodic songs to the table on Zara, making the most accessible music of her career. Lyrically dark and emotionally compelling, Zara utilizes lush production techniques and an expansive array of instruments (multi-guitars, piano, organ, trumpet, cello, percussion, etc.) to illuminate the intricate arrangements of what are nonetheless very catchy tracks. Heidi's vocals are multi-tracked and center-stage. Their effect has been favorably compared to that of PJ Harvey and Kristen Hersh, and here even a hint of Kate Bush-like vocalese is suggested in a song like I (Heart) You. But Heidi's voice, mature and self-possessed, is most assuredly a distinctive one. On Zara she displays a songwriting gift to match it that bears sturdy fruit on every one of its memorable songs.

Heidi Saperstein rode the new millenium in as a solo performer, having spent the previous decade in bands whose makeup was predominantly female before such aggregations became commonplace. Five of those latter years were spent in Shiva Speedway. Heidi's original guitar contribution to this edgy rock band blossomed into additional duties as its songwriter and featured singer. Their album Psychic City came out in 1999 on Rainbow Quartz Records.

Even solo, Heidi rarely goes it totally alone. Numerous other musical guests embellish her 2001 Kimchee Records debut, The Devil I Once Knew, and its follow-up, 2004's Zara, including TW Walsh of Pedro the Lion, Daniel Coughlin (Thalia Zedek band, Come), and Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter band). And upon Zara's release Heidi will once again be touring with a full band. There's an earthy brazenness of sentiment in Heidi's work, achieved in the mix of her knowing voice and downbeat guitar explorations, but she just as effortlessly takes flight in irresistable vocal reaches and harmonies. Both a challenge and an embrace, the music of Heidi Saperstein is never less than enthralling.