Folk artist rocks The Garage

Angie Mattson performed songs from her new album "Skeleton Arm" at The Garage in downtown Winston-Salem Oct. 12, in a small but intimate performance.  

Mattson's newest album "Skeleton Arm" was released earlier this year receiving much acclaim from critics. After seeing her in person it's no wonder why; she is unbelievable.  There may have been very few fans in the crowd, but with her amazing voice it felt as though she was singing to you directly. Her sultry voice leaves you feeling as though you're in a smoky jazz club one minute and then a folk festival the next.

Her sound is similar to that of Florence and the Machine; who rocked out the MTV Video Music Awards last month, Fiona Apple and Jewel. Music that is very folksy with just enough rock and roll to shake things up nicely.

Stormy vocals sway from disarmingly intimate to innocent and elevated as she displays her powerful vocal range. Dueling guitars, haunting background vocals, and fierce drums as well as harmonica, bells, tambourine and chains complete this uniquely crafted album.

Mattson takes most of her inspiration from relationships but not always her own.

"The songs are mostly about relationships past and present, my heart and body seem to control everything I do, and my mind cleans up the mess" said Mattson.

The band is composed of Angie Mattson and her guitarist Jeff Mendel. The rest of the band are heard from a recording that is played while the two of them perform songs from her newest album.

"The rest of the band is trapped inside the box," laughed Mattson.  

Written by Mattson herself and produced with Jeff Mendel on Mattson's own label "Radio Nine Records" at The Violet Room in Los Angeles, Ca., the album has only seven songs and runs less than 35 minutes.  

"I like to keep my songs short" Mattson said "people have a short attention span and they're only going to download the songs that they like."

Mattson chose songs for the album that everyone loved, keeping "Skeleton Arm" short and sweet. For anyone open to new music, it's definitely worth checking out.