Biography
b. USA. Comparisons have linked singer-songwriter and guitarist Missy Roback to Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, Aimee Mann, and Sandy Denny, yet her sound most closely evokes the result of Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde composing acoustic folk pieces edged with country. Rather than pursuing music through long-held ambition, the San Francisco, California-based Roback entered the field by chance after losing her job in the late 90s when the magazine she edited closed. Viewing the layoff as an opening, she began writing original songs. Her husband, songwriter and producer Steven Roback—previously the Rain Parade bassist and later Viva Saturn’s vocalist—helped her record eleven tracks for the debut album Just Like Breathing. Released on her Hear Kitty label in 2002, the record included guitar contributions from Leigh Gregory of San Francisco’s chamber rock outfit Mellow Drunk and from Grant Miller of the ambient duo Mandible Chatter, while American Music Club’s Tim Mooney handled mixing and Steven Roback served as producer. Critics embraced the album, placing it on multiple year-end Top 10 lists.
Albums