Dessa, the rhyme-slinging Minneapolis vocalist/poet/sole female Doomtree member has taken command of 2013 with her remarkable new album, Parts of Speech. Delivering a refined array of philosophical allusion and cerebral wordplay, her razor-melancholia and poignant imagery demands attentive listening and provides endless value for the rewind-button analysts. As September’s Band of The Month featured artist, we caught up with Dessa for an intimate performance featuring several tracks off Parts of Speech and an interview session, which we’ll bring you every Thursday throughout the month.
Her 2010 debut LP A Badly Broken Code, an exercise in lyrical beauty and creative promise, led to a follow-up in Castor, The Twin, featuring several reinterpreted takes on her prior release that showcased a kaleidoscopic design of artistry. The spliced palette recalling the sense of character and originality that buoyed Ani DiFranco and Jean Grae is a constant presence, as Dessa pulls from her spoken-word past in conjuring a poetic expressionism that’s haunting and hypnotic. She spans hip-hop, pop, R&B and experimental sounds throughout each release, expanding her range and challenging her muse with every step. With Parts Of Speech, Dessa reaches a poetic pinnacle.
We met up with Dessa one fine Summer morning in the Hollywood hills for an exclusive Band of The Month feature session, and caught lightning in a bottle. The uniquely stripped-down approach of the performance centers on live guitar riffs provided by Dustin Kiel and the interweaving harmonies of Dessa and her vocal partner Aby Wolf, and the results give goosebumps to our goosebumps. Check out the track “Call Off Your Ghost” below.
Check back next Thursday for another exclusive Dessa performance! Get Parts of Speech and keep up with Dessa at her official site, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
Previous Band of The Month Performances:
Alain Johannes / Grieves / Steel Panther / Vintage Trouble / Semi Precious Weapons
Hot Karate / RX Bandits / Nico Vega / The Mowgli’s / Dessa / Everlast
The Wild Feathers / The Silent Comedy / LP
