This week we post our 52^nd show.  It’s a nice solid number to reach—having worked hard over the last two years to bring you some of our favorite bands performing all around Boston, we really feel like we’ve hit our stride.  And we couldn’t be happier to celebrate this milestone by posting a set with Marissa Nadler.  Nadler herself knows about hard work.  Funding her new album through Kickstarter, she spent last year crafting a densely layered batch of songs, which was released last week to well-earned acclaim.

Here at Sleepover Shows, we’ll sometimes host bands at our place, giving them a pillow, bed or couch on which to rest their heads in exchange for some music.  But Marissa Nadler was nice enough to offer us her own home on a bright Sunday morning not too long ago.  It was only a few days after the master takes were approved for the new album, and she was full with pride about her latest venture—having completely controlled her output this time around, she had right to be.  Lyrically and musically, these songs are a pleasant evolution from her last few albums, even including some tales that pick up where older songs left off.  Flanked by flowers, with her cat walking around the rooms, Marissa performed a handful of songs for us.

First up is the opener to the new album, In Your Lair, Bear.  Even without the atmospheric instrumentation of the album version, Marissa is able to command attention.

And finally, Wind Up Doll.  Certainly one of the most impressive aspects of any Marissa Nadler album is her ability to tell a story.  Lyrically, she has never been more assured, and Wind Up Doll is one of our favorite tracks on the new album.  These haunted lyrics have been in our heads for months now:

When the box went in the ground
cedar trees were all around
a war did take him from her town
and she ain’t nothing but a ghost now

Marissa will be touring through July.  Go get the album at her website, see her perform, and enjoy the videos.

Our original trailer: