Two weekends ago, I headed down to the Riviera Theatre in Chicago to see singer-songwriter Faye Webster. I’d been listening to Faye for a couple of years now, ever since I heard “Jonny” on shuffle in the car one summer.
Her voice is unmistakably soft. Combined with saxophones, piano, and steel guitars, it’s as if indie pop-rock’s been infiltrated by the classic sounds of bluegrass and folk. Webster’s lengthy discography is the perfect mix of modern with a whisper of “yeehaw.”
Faye Webster’s performance at the Riviera was, without a doubt, one of the best concerts I’ve been to. Her vocals, backed by solid acoustics, were even better in person. With new singles on the horizon and an album in the works, this rising Atlanta star is one you should know.
Who is Faye Webster?
Born in Atlanta in 1997, Faye Webster was no stranger to musical inclinations. Her grandfather was a bluegrass guitarist and her mother was a fiddle player, so Faye started writing and playing music at a young age.
DISCOGRAPHY BREAKDOWN
Run and Tell (2013)
Faye released her debut album, Run and Tell in October of 2013. She enrolled briefly at Belmont University in Nashville but dropped out to pursue music full-time.
Singing with a country twang, the sound of Run and Tell is rooted in bluegrass and folk inspiration. Webster sings of longing, heartbreak, and of course, the Lone Star State.
From Bluegrass Folk to Indie Pop
Faye Webster (2017)
After touring with folk artist Sean Rowe, her second album, Faye Webster, was released in May of 2017. Despite these subtle “yeehaw” roots, Faye Webster comes as a sharp turn to Webster’s discography. Her country twang has dissolved into a softer, ethereal sound. Acoustic guitar becomes more prominent. Although the songs explore these similar themes of love and loss, each track is starkly unique to Webster’s roots.
Despite this musical shift, however, many tracks hold true to Faye’s original inspirations. The iconically unforgettable steel guitar is featured throughout, becoming a staple in her work.
Atlanta Millionaires Club (2019)
By 2019, Webster had established herself as a prominent musician in the intersection of folk and indie pop-rock. Her third album, Atlanta Millionaires Club, was released in May of that year.
Featured in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and impressively enough, Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2020”, Faye Webster’s music began the onward trek to mainstream status. Atlanta Millionaires Club is the perfect mix of new and old for Faye Webster. There are slower, more “country” songs like “Room Temperature”, or upbeat tracks, like “Flowers.”
A Rising Star
I Know I’m Funny haha was released in June of 2021. Once again, Webster pays homage to her roots with hints of country and features of steel guitar, but the (second) star of I Know I’m Funny haha comes from the artful drumming.
Her fourth album is polished and well-crafted, but Webster’s songs equally feel like a glimpse into her diary, still with that lingering “homemade”, intimate feel.
Faye’s most recent singles, “But Not Kiss” and “Lifetime”, released in June and September this year, are filled with bluesy saxophone and piano, but with that same soft-spoken, emotional feel. With new music on the horizon and an ever-changing sound, it’s safe to say Faye Webster is making a name for herself. And that name is one you should definitely know.
What’s next?
New music might (hopefully) be on the way, but as of right now, Webster is currently on tour. Tickets are available here, so snag some while you can.
