Playing in an independent rock band will eventually make you
equal parts truck driver, gladiator and mule.
Glamour is for those with trust funds.
~ Neko Case
Neko Richelle Case, (b. 9/8/70) is an American singer-songwriter and member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers. Case has a powerful, untrained contralto voice, which has been described by contemporaries and critics as a “flamethrower,” “a powerhouse [which] seems like it might level buildings,” “a 120-mph fastball,” and a “vocal tornado.” Critics also note her idiosyncratic, “cryptic,” “imagistic” lyrics, and credit her as a significant figure in the early 21st-century American revival of the tenor guitar. Case’s body of work has spanned and drawn on a range of traditions including country, folk, art rock, indie rock, and pop and is frequently described as defying or avoiding easy generic classification.
Early Life: Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Case is the daughter of James Bamford Case and Diana Mary Dubbs. Case’s paternal family surname was originally Shevchenko; her great-aunt was the professional wrestler Ella Waldek. Her father, a Vietnam veteran serving in the United States Air Force, was based in Virginia at the time of her birth. Case’s parents, who were teenagers when they had her, are of Ukrainian ancestry. Her parents divorced when Case began school. Case’s family relocated several times during her childhood due to her stepfather’s work as an archaeologist. She has lived in Western Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon and Washington. She considers Tacoma, Washington to be her hometown.
Musical Beginnings: Case left home at age 15. By the age of 18 she was performing as a drummer for the Del Logs and the Propanes, playing in venues including a punk club called the Community World Theater.
Discography:
Solo Studio: 7 albums
Solo Live: 2 albums
EP: 1
Compilation: 1 album
With The New Pornographers: 8 albums
Non-solo besides The New Pornographers: 7 albums
Other contributions: 28
Videography: 1
One thing to share: Neko has a rescue dog named Bruce.
Official website: here
Sources:
wikipedia
Tao Talk 
I saw her live with the New Pornogaphers, just as Covid was hitting. I have a lot of time for her solo stuff like Middle Cyclone and Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.
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Nice, Graham! I think I first heard of her on that platform that was big for music just before fb hit (losing my memory, I swear!) and would like to know more about her music. Sounds like you are well-acquainted with it 🙂
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There’s an album she made with KD Lang and Laura Veirs too.
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That’s what I heard! Will be checking it out for sure.
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I’m not very familiar with her music. I liked the video.
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Me neither but I like what I’ve heard so far. She sounds dreamy to me.
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I guess us oldsters are out of the loop on this one. A talented lady, and wonder why I never heard of her?
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Phil, I just happened upon her by chance some years ago and added her to a playlist and so remembered her. She is quite good.
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I LOVE Neko Case and the New Pornographers. Her voice is so unique. I also love her in the super group case/lang/veirs.
If you want another powerhouse Canadian female voice, check out Serena Ryder 😉
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I saw that trio in my research but didn’t take a listen, but I do love kdlang. I’ve added Serena to my big list. Be looking for her feature … in 2025 🙂
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You have to at least take a listen… even if you don’t feature her…
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I love that song. A singular singer. (K)
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The name Neko Case is very familiar. I first heard of her in connection with her 2009 album “Middle Cyclone,” which Graham mentioned. There’s a great song on there called “People Got a Lotta Nerve”. Do you know it? That said, I never explored her music any further. I also like the song you called out. I find her vocals pretty compelling.
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I just now learned a new word. I sang in choirs, as a kid — but never heard of the contralto classification (with any recollection or notice anyway). I was called alto. I’m enjoying your music month.
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So happy you are enjoying music month. I’ve enjoyed putting these together also.
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Great!
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Thanks, Adam!
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I like what I’ve heard from The New Pornographers…I found them looking for power pop songs. I never knew her history though…thanks Lisa!
Our power came on at 10pm last night… I almost wept! lol
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Yes, I like what I’ve heard of her and TNP as well.
CONGRATS on getting power restored!!! It’s one of those things we take for granted until it is gone.
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I couldn’t believe how overjoyed I was….you are right…we take it for granted.
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Max, I’m going to try and write something up tonight for your Beatles thing. No promises but that’s the plan 🙂
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It’s fine either way Lisa…I have plenty…you can get the next thing coming up…the draft. It’s up to you though.
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It won’t be long, but I will have something for you, probably tonight.
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Cool!
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CB is all over Neko. Cant get enough. Hits the spot at all times. Max nudged me over here. I’ll have to check out more of the women folk . It’s all about the music for me. I’ve been on an Eilen Jewel jag. Like Neko. Cant get enough. So many cool woman I listen to. To many to list but you got me with Neko. Great tune. Love the steel.
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CB, nice to see you here. I know you’ve talked about Neko before and so not surprised she (and Max) nudged you over for a look-see. Never heard Eilen Jewel but I’m adding her to my list for a future WMM post. Can you give me a few tunes by her so I can go listen on YouTube?
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So many Lisa. Give ‘Sea Of Tears ‘ a go. Good intro. ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’. She is so good. This might whet your whistle.
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OK thanks, I will 🙂
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