Just when I thought the Hi-Tone was about to rename itself “The Manhole,” due to its recent testosterone driven bills, I see a poster that peeks my interest on their window: Jessica Lea Mayfield. My favorite venue has completely outdone itself by booking this show.
At 22, Mayfield has opened for The Black Keys, Ray LaMontagne, and Jay Farrar. Raised in Ohio in a very musical family, she began her performing career at eight with her family’s bluegrass band, One Way Rider.
This year has been pivotal for Mayfield, she released the album “Tell Me” (Nonesuch) in February and is headlining her own tour. The Los Angeles Times placed “Tell Me” at the top of their article, Critic’s Notebook: A midyear look at some of the best music of 2011 (so far).”
Produced by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), “Tell Me” is like Mayfield’s previous work in that it is still dark Neo-Country and most, if not all, of her lyrics are regarding the conflicts of love; however she is branching out, revealing new influences and experimenting with new styles such as Indie-Pop.
