She & Him, actress Zooey Deschanel, and folk hero M. Ward met up with Steve Lillywhite to record three songs for NPR. I didn’t ‘love’ their new disc, Volume One, but I sure as hell like this. Zooeys simple, sultry vocals make me wanna find a smokey jazz club and drink vodka gimlets.

This session is a breath of fresh air for what’s going on in folk music. It’s simple. It’s easy on the ears, and Lillywhite even compliments her voice - saying that it’s good, if not better than the preceeding album. I couldn’t agree more.

Hear the session, here.

Lykke Li - I’m Good, I’m Gone (Black Kids Remix)
Lykke Li - Dance, Dance, Dance

Well, she’s totally buzzing. She just released her first album ‘Youth Novels’ in the UK, and Lykke Li is destined to come to the US sooner than later. If you missed her at SXSW or the handful of shows she booked over the nation afterwards, keep your head up. She’s all booked up across the pond until mid August of 08, but has about a month where she could ‘possibly’ come to the US. I’m thinking with the buzz that I’ve been getting about her, it’s gonna happen. Maybe not then, but maybe for a winter tour.

Currently, there are no slated plans to release ‘Youth Novels’ in the US, so your best bet on getting your hands on this music is by hitting up here and here and here. (visit 5. Secret Chapter)

It’s amazing that this girl is only 22 years old, has her own record label, and has music that I actually enjoy. Another artist makes it big from Myspace, and this time, I’m not even mad about it. I hope you aren’t either.

Zooey Deschanel, our loveable human wanna get lost from Hitchhikers will be on a short tour this year, first in LA, then in New York, then in my house!!! At the Oyster Festival in May…

http://www.oreillysoysterfestival.com/

tickets are $25 bucks. for zooey is worth it.