Mikaela Davis: Graceland Way

"The harp is not an instrument of slyness, wryness, or the earth. At least twice the size of a human body, it has to be held in the arms, its vibrations traveling through the player as they perform."

"On her latest studio album, Graceland Way, Davis plays her harp in simple fourths, with occasional arpeggios and runs, using it as a contrapuntal voice alongside distinctly Americana-leaning electric guitar lines."

"Graceland Way—a perfectly Americana album title—takes its name from the street in the L.A. hillside home where she made the album, inspired by its surroundings."

Mikaela Davis's harp playing transcends traditional boundaries, connecting with cosmic mysticism and Americana influences. Her latest album, Graceland Way, features simpler harp arrangements alongside electric guitar, emphasizing a more immediate and conversational songwriting approach. Recorded with producer Dan Horne, the album reflects a shift from her earlier melancholic style to a lighter, soothing sound inspired by her surroundings in Los Angeles. Davis's evolution as an artist highlights her ability to blend technical skill with emotional depth in her music.

Read at Pitchfork