The origins of American music are prevalent with sounds and styles from all reaches of the globe, but over the last century or so, the roles have somewhat reversed themselves with blues, jazz, and mountain music being re-dispersed and re-interpreted by musicians worldwide. Cristina Vane, born in Italy to a Sicilian-American father and a Guatemalan mother, grew up between England, France, and Italy, and was fluent in four languages by the time she moved to her fathers’ native United States to attend university at 18 years old. Unlike most of her contemporaries in the music industry, Vane has a taste for pre-war American blues from the likes of Skip James, Robert Johnson, and Blind Willie Johnson. Add a splash of slow western waltzes and haunting Appalachian melodies for good measure and she has tapped in to the very well from which rock and roll sprung. (IVPR, 2021)

Vane’s debut full-length album, Nowhere Sounds Lovely, explores the depths of her new home’s musical history from her unique perspective without ever sounding like a re-hashing of old tricks. Out April 2, Nowhere Sounds Lovely flows naturally from the album-opening slow-burn blues of “Dreamboy” to the clawhammer banjo driven lament of “Will I Ever Be Satisfied.” Last week, American Songwriter premiered “Badlands,” the album’s closing track–a haunting and visceral nod to the Dakota’s rocky, windy plains–noting, “Like a young Bonnie Raitt, Vane sings from both her voice and her supple, bluesy guitar playing almost simultaneously–her sound as earthen as the South Dakota landscape…” Preview available here.

Vane’s perspective on American music is a decidedly unique one, but absolutely an authentic one; pieced together through sights, sounds, and experiences just like the pioneers of the music she so dearly loves. If Nowhere Sounds Lovely is any indication, Vane’s ability to carry the torch of her forebearers is strong and she is just getting started.

Nowhere Sounds Lovely track list:
Dreamboy
Dreaming Of Utah
The Driving Song
Heaven Bound Station
Prayer For The Blind
Satisfied Soul
Travelin Blues
What Remains
Will I Ever Be Satisfied
Wishing Bone Blues
Blueberry Hill
Badlands