Shivaree

Taking their moniker from an expression denoting a boisterous, intoxicated serenade, the threesome Shivaree revolves around lead vocalist Ambrosia Parsley. A native of the San Fernando Valley whose grandmother roamed the area strumming ukulele, Parsley made her initial appearance performing alongside a 99-piece senior-citizen banjo ensemble at a neighborhood pizzeria. At thirteen she departed home, crisscrossing the country in pursuit of musical opportunities. Guitarist Duke McVinnie, whose résumé included sessions with Exene Cervenka, Johnny Otis, and J.J. Cale, encountered her while she tracked vocals at a studio; after offering several ideas he joined her project. Keyboardist Danny McGough, fresh from tours alongside Tom Waits, introduced himself after hearing her songs at a gathering, thereby rounding out the lineup then called Junebug. Parsley later spotted the term “shivaree” inside a Jesse James biography, prompting the group’s rechristening. An early recording was completed only to be set aside. Producer and singer-songwriter Joe Henry was recruited, and the band tracked I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump in his backyard. Issued in 1999, the album earned favorable notice for Parsley’s arresting appearance and the trio’s idiosyncratic blend of Americana and alt-country, which drew comparisons to Tom Waits, Cowboy Junkies, and Billie Holiday. Extensive touring followed; Parsley surmounted stage fright and won over audiences, especially across Europe, where the band received glowing acclaim. Shivaree next delivered Rough Dreams, which appeared on Capitol in September 2002. In 2004 the EP Breach surfaced, containing two original numbers plus interpretations of material by Brian Eno, the Waterboys, and John Cale. Later that year the full-length Who’s Got Trouble? arrived. 2007 brought Tainted Love: Mating Calls & Fight Songs, a collection of covers that presented Shivaree’s versions of songs associated with R. Kelly, Mötley Crüe, and Michael Jackson.