It starts with a crashing cymbal and ends with moonlight twinkle. In between we find a gentle halcyonic rolling wash of guitar and precise yet eerie keys, perfectly placed percussion dissipating into Cassandra Jenkins‘ bittersweet tones that tell tales of a queen and a king that seem somewhat disillusioned but tinted with hopefulness. There’s a langour to precedings, at least to start with, before a teasing frivolity and back and forth gasping vocal scales. "Rabbit" (streaming below) has just the right amount of production at the touch of co-writer Sam Griffin Owens of Celestial Shore.
The song is dedicated to Jenkins’ goddaughter in memory of her parents’ now deceased pet rabbit, and comes with the following note: ‘After Rabbit passed away in 2004, her body was sent to North Carolina to the teenage taxidermist, Amy Ritchie. She returned to New York beautifully preserved with one peculiar detail. On one side of her face she bears a neutral expression, and on the other a beguiling smile.’
Recognition came in the form of playing bass in Eleanor Friedberger’s band, but solo talent will carry Miss Jenkins far. Catch her at Glasslands on tonight) January 20th.
Full results for the ALT FOLK category submissions to the Best of NYC 2013 Poll for emerging artists can be found here.