Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and upright bassist Melissa Carper has dropped her reimagined single, “Hit or Miss,” which officially came out October 19th.
The genuine Americana songstress put a unique spin on the soulful Odetta classic by transforming it into more of an acoustic bluesy shuffle, coupled with her most unique voice. “Someone suggested I record ‘Hit or Miss’, so I decided to give it a try. I recorded a demo of it and, listening back, quickly realized that I would have to sing this song like I meant it or I was never going to pull it off. I gave it my best shot and tried to embody her attitude,” Carper shared.
The bonafide production of the song allows the lyrics to shine, and Carper’s vocals cut through the brushing of the drums and jazzy piano. Her close collaborator, Chris Scruggs, nicknamed her “HillBillie Holiday” and after listening, it’s a hard claim to dispute.
“Hit or Miss” is the latest single from Carper’s upcoming sophomore album, Ramblin’ Soul, which will be available November 18th via Thirty Tigers.
The new earworm of a song shows the listener exactly where the seeds of Carper’s inspiration were planted.
The performer embraced her love of country classics such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and more. This love bloomed from laying for hours beneath the console of her parent’s record collection. When Carper’s father gifted her a collection of Jimmie Rodgers’ recordings, she began to find her voice and calling as a songwriter.
Carper’s raw storytelling comes from her road-worn experiences, trials and tribulations of the human condition, and lifelong friends she makes after moments of knowing them. Two years into college, Carper hit the road in her family’s 1980 Dodge Maxi Van and would travel to Eureka Springs Arkansas, New Orleans, Austin, and New York City, introducing her to the world of a traveling troubadour.
When talking about her choice of covering an Odetta song, Carper said, “I hadn’t realized until more recently how much of a figure Odetta was in the American folk music revival and also what a pioneer she was for female artists. When it came to actually recording it I was understandably nervous.” The folksy sound and stripped back groove give off a joyful and confident sound about being yourself no matter what.
Her upcoming album blends all the facets of country, western swing, jazz, and some early rock and roll, and is sure to be a doozy.
Carper will be hitting the road for a 30-city tour that kicks off November 9th in Baton Rouge, LA, and will be in Nashville on December 9th at the Station Inn.
