On Friday, the Los Angeles Times’ Ann Powers wrote an interesting take on Theresa Andersson, looping and notions of virtuosity:

During recent performance at the Hotel Café, Andersson introduced one song by trotting out her “backup singers” — each one a loop of her voice, with a distinct personality and a tendency to sass back to the others. On another, she featured a sample from New Orleans drummer Smokey Johnson, who appeared onstage virtually, in a portrait on the cover of the album that provided the sample.

These whimsical asides made Andersson’s skills seem like no big deal: the casual mastery of someone who cut her teeth as a street performer and still knows that entertaining the crowd is the first priority. But as she dives deeper into each song, her dexterity makes a deep impression.

It does feel a bit like magic. But practical magic -– the kind women have been known to practice for centuries, long before guitar gods walked the Earth.  

And at RollingStone.com, Friday’s “Hype Monitor” had a short note on Hurray for the Riff Raff:

The Buzz: Sweet, tender folk music built from brittle banjos and boasting lovely, loping melodies.
Listen If: You’re looking for the female-fronted counterpart to the Strand of Oaks record we listed above.
Key Track: “Daniella,” which continues the grand tradition of songs that question their subject’s taste in suitors.