A Beginner's Guide to Music's Lost Leaders: My Brightest Diamond

The first time I heard Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond was in The Decemberist's album "The Hazards of Love." I must have listened to this album on repeat for about a month and while I found Won't Want For Love and The Rake's Song really addicting, the song that really got to me was The Queen's Rebuke/The Crossing which is the song that features Shara as the Queen. I remember wondering who that voice belonged to and where could I hear more of her? She is only featured in a few of the songs on "The Hazards of Love" and I needed to hear more! With the attitude and soul she gives on her songs it feels like she IS the queen of the forest.

My first thoughts of hearing My Brightest Diamond was that it was slightly like gothic opera set in a gypsy forest. In Hazards of Love her voice was soulful and almost sexy, but in her band she is almost dark and gypsy-like. Her voice trembles and warbles, she sings both high and low. I'm not sure whether to consider her modern or old fashioned. My favorite songs are Something of an End, Lucky, Freak Out, Disappear, Inside a Boy, and The Brightest Diamond.

Besides the great albums and collaboration with The Decemberists, My Brightest Diamond also performed one of my favorite songs EVER, which is actually a cover. Their version of Lucky by Radiohead is so dark and wonderful and I can't get enough of it. I will literally listen to it over and over and over. It's a great song to begin with, but her voice adds an interesting dimension to it. I would love to use this song in a more theatrical fashion show. I actually have one in mind that is inspired by religious cults and some dark features I saw against the white snow, but I won't be creating that collection for Denver, so for now I just have to keep the song in mind.

Shara is not classically beautiful, but she has a very interesting look. I'd love to see her in vintage pieces with a slight gypsy/boho feel. Chiffon, bold florals, faux fur, and modern volume would be perfect.

Shara