Starcasm’s 2009 Christmas Gift Guide with Lynn Cinnamon: Overlooked Musical Gems

Diane Birch – Bible Belt

You may not know who she is now, but Diane Birch is gonna be big, and her album Bible Belt is the perfect stocking stuffer for any music lover on your wish list who digs 60’s and 70’s soul, pop music, piano-heavy gospel or just plain rock’n'roll.

Diane Birch is the daughter of a 7th Day Adventist Preacher Man. She was born in Michigan but spent her childhood in Zimbabwe, South Aftrica; Sydney, Australia; and Portland, Oregon. Since her upbringing was very strictly religious, she wasn’t exposed to secular popular music until adulthood, and the music she writes are driven by the rousing gospel-style you’ll hear at a lively prayer meeting. Don’t let that scare you away, her songs are also reminescent of the likes of Elton John, Carol King, Aretha Franklin, with an occasional hint of Fiona Apple.

She was discovered on MySpace in 2007, and her first album was released this year under S-Curve Records. Her sound fits in neatly with the still looming pop culture fascination with neo-soul acts like Amy Winehouse, but instead of being a Duffy, who’s just ridden the right wave at the right time, Diane Birch is a solid talent that has staying power.

If you fall in love after listening to her album Bible Belt, you can catch her live on her tour with Nick Jonas, of all people, starting January 2, 2010. Check the tour dates here.

Apparently Nick Jonas started a side project, Nick Jonas & The Administration, to get out some songs he wrote that don’t fit with the Jonas brothers. These new songs will be released February 2010, while he’s touring with Diane Birch. I can’t wait to see what trick Nick has up his sleeve.

In the mean time have a listen to Diane Birch’s “Fire Escape,” from Bible Belt:

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