Mary

Country of origin:

Denmark

Type of music generally:

Alternative pop

Status:

Most recent release (as Marïe Ingerslev), The Other Side (2010)

See also:

Mary's site

Comparisons:

Hard call. There are some commonalities with Vienna Teng and Allison Crowe

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Mary is a band that centers around songwriter and vocalist Marie Ingerslev. She has a well-controlled, expressive alto and is a creative, impressionist songwriter. The overall sound becomes flowing, allusive, melodic, dreamy. Sometimes there are elements of prog rock and jazz. Marie Ingerslevs vocals are front and center—with good reason—and Kalle Mathiesen's drums are also featured clearly in nearly every track. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)

Recommended first album:

In The Head of a Dreamer is the only one we've heard

Recordings:

• In The Head of a Dreamer (2006)
• The Other Side (as Marïe Ingerslev, 2010)

In The Head of a Dreamer

Release info:

2006—Matchbox Recordings—MR0072-MS-1

Availability:

See Mary's site

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for fans of female-fronted pop

Group members:

Marie Ingerslev—vocals, guitars
Kenneth Hansen—Rhodes, strings, keys
Thommy Andersson—bass, double bass
Kalle Mathiesen—drums, strings, keys

Guest artists:

Torben Snekkestad—saxophones, bass clarinet

Produced by:

Kalle Mathiesen and Marie Ingerslev

Comments:

This is a dreamy yet energetic album. My favourite song is the title track, which is rockier than many of the tracks here, but the reason it particularly catches me is the layering of vocals in the chorus. Another stand-out track is the almost progressive-rock-like "He went into a painting"—it's dreamy, impressionistic, and highly listenable. "Try in my Heartland" is almost meditative and is certainly evocative. Overall an impressive debut that will please many ectophiles and other fans of female-fronted bands. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)

Thanks to (sophiagurley@hotmail.com) for work on this entry.