Virginia · minimal folk-pop

Lael Neale

1 upcoming festival

Omnichord hymns from rural Virginia — luminous, homespun minimalism, songs that glow like lamplight through gauze.

Lael Neale grew up on a farm in rural Virginia and spent years in Los Angeles before returning to write and record at home. Her records for Sub Pop, including Acquainted with Night and Star Eaters Delight, were made with minimal means — voice, Suzuki Omnichord, and tape — with Guy Blakeslee assisting on production and additional instruments.

The Omnichord's drifting chords and preset rhythms give the songs a droning, hymn-like frame, while Neale sings in an unhurried, conversational register. The arrangements stay sparse, and the recordings keep the hiss and room sound of their making, which is a large part of what the music is.

minimal folk-pop