Altered Zones

Erika M. Anderson, founding member of recently defunct Los Angeles noise trio Gowns, has been making some waves on the web lately with her solo project, EMA. We first heard from her in late December with the ebow-enhanced A-side of her new 7", The Grey Ship. Last week, The Quietus premiered the stellar B-side, a cover of seminal bluesman Robert Johnson's 1936 song "Kind Hearted Woman Blues". At more than 16 minutes, the track may seem like a lot to bite off, but once you hit play, it quickly becomes clear it's a ride well worth taking.

A musician of deft precision, EMA's translation of the source's soulful roots is damaged and emotive, with Anderson getting to the heart of the work at the piece's last moments with beating guitar plucks and moments of drawn-out, claustrophobic silence. It's a promising peep of where she's headed with her forthcoming solo album, due later this year. --Ric Leichtung, Altered Zones

EMA: "Kind Hearted Woman Blues"

Also, check out the single's A-side below, in handy/portable mp3 form:

MP3: EMA: "The Grey Ship"

The Grey Ship 7" is out now on vinyl + available digitally March 8th via Souterrain Transmissions