Annie Lewandowski is powerdove. Though she frequently collaborates with other musicians, the resounding heart of powerdove will always be Lewandowski's sparse, haunting vocals and lilting parlor guitar. With influences ranging from Nico and Leonard Cohen to the drone sounds of Sunn O)), her music will warm the hearts of experimental folk fans. Be Mine was recorded in the Mills College Concert Hall in Oakland on Valentine’s Day, 2009, by Deerhoof's John Dieterich, and the resulting twelve songs gracefully sway from ethereal, sun-dappled numbers to eerie, creaking ballads—all the while communicating Lewandowski's words like little beams of light.

These songs, originally written to be performed solo, have been transformed for this recording with the help of Alex Vittum and Jason Hoopes. From the original delicate arrangements for voice and parlor guitar, a trio was born. With his sublime sensitivity as an upright bass player, Jason brings depth and gravity. And with a vast array of magical percussive objects, Alex weaves an ethereal thread from song to song. The contributions of these musicians—Hoopes’s warm bass rumble in "Resting Place," Vittum's well-placed booms on the title track—are far more than simple “additions” to this music; they create worlds—soft, dazzling, and strange. "Be Mine" could easily be a 60's girl-group love song stripped to its bare essence, plainly asking for the warmth of affection. Lewandowski’s gently picked guitar allows her breathy voice to shine on "Birdsong". Elsewhere, songs are gently accented with the spare sounds of glockenspiel, trombone and flute.

Currently based in Southampton England, powerdove will embark on a European tour in April with plans to return to the US over the summer. Be Mine drifts into the world via Circle Into Square Records on February 15.

Press Quotes

"I have no understanding of what makes Annie's music so powerful. I have listened to these songs so many times, and each time I take away something different and wonder how I could have heard it any other way. My hair stands on end thinking about the last time I saw her live!" John Dieterich (Deerhoof)

"Annie Lewandowski strips things down to their bare essentials with an eerie accuracy, and in doing so makes my hair stand on end. Beautiful songs of today and tomorrow, unsentimental and direct - highly recommended for cleaning out the cobwebs!" Fred Frith (Henry Cow)

"Annie used to play with members of Deerhoof in "The Curtains" and her debut album had been mixed by Deerhoof's guitarist, John Dieterich. However, do not expect to hear Deerhoof-style, angular and choppy rock tunes; quite the contrary. Powerdove records quiet songs with acoustic guitar and an enchanting clumsy voice. Listen to the excellent and disquieting "Resting Place". YNet

"One woman, one guitar. Slow motion, gentle, acoustic picking, like she's still trying to work out the song as she's playing it. Her voice is pure, plaintive, but not sad. Shady riverbank. Sun dappled, rippling stream. Beautiful." Jilted Barfly

"Powerdove's songs perfect the art of restrained instrumentation, but still manage to be incredibly intense." Ejector Seat