Jeremy Messersmith can break your heart one minute, and then put those fragile pieces back together again the next. The Minneapolis singer/songwriter candidly chronicles the ups and downs of modern relationships, all within the simple but striking constructs of his indelible, poignant pop songs. On his assured and expansive fourth full-length album Heart Murmurs, Messersmith moves past the existential, death-laden themes of his 2010 breakthrough, The Reluctant Graveyard, to focus instead on the broad topic of love and the eternal affairs of the heart. And this polished, impassioned new batch of songs represent another confident artistic step forward in Jeremy’s flourishing career.
The 11 tracks that comprise Heart Murmurs gradually take on a spirited life of their own like any proper romance. “I generally like to balance out the bitter and the sweet in my songs,” Messersmith explains. “The happier something is musically, the darker it can be lyrically — you can kind of sneak it in there. And that’s a little more appealing to me.”
The hooks throughout Heart Murmurs are indeed quite massive and relentlessly catchy, with acoustic and electric guitars blending elegantly with spiraling string arrangements and other sonic flourishes. It’s the sound of an artist not afraid to go big in order to be heard, while also packing plenty of evocative substance within these soaring pop songs as well.
A happier Feist mixed with a younger version of Björk? Or maybe the experimental playfulness and dexterity of tUnE-yArDs meeting the bittersweet wit of Regina Spektor? Whatever your take on alternative-pop star Phia, after hearing her new single “Do You Ever?” you won’t be able to get it out of your head.
Otherwise known as Sophia Exiner, Phia is an Australian-born, Berlin-based artist who creates arresting, hypnotic pop music that is just plain fun.
Having received nearly 20,000 Soundcloud plays since its release in October, Phia’s debut single “Do You Ever?” has been making waves among listeners around the world, with the single receiving radio broadcast in places such as Norway and France, and featuring on music publications in Mexico, Germany, Australia and the US.
The much anticipated track from her debut album which is due out in 2014 was shaped by collaborator synth-pop producer Josh Teicher (Mez Medallion), and perfectly captures the explosive and arresting solo live show that has fast gained her a reputation around Europe.
Thanks to the wonderful people of fkpScorpio, Blitzgigs is giving away 2×2 tickets to the show! To grab your free tickets, just email us at winwinwin@blitzgigs.de with your full name and the answer to the following easy question:
Where is Jeremy Messersmith from?
Competition closes 12:00, Friday May 23rd. Good luck!
