Alexa Wilding’s recommendation: “Like most art damaged New York kids, I was exposed to The Velvet Underground and everything Andy Warhol at an early age. I was pretty obsessed with my mom’s well-worn copy of George Plimpton’s Edie, and we would dance around our loft in black tights to Heroin before I even knew what the song was about. While I loved Lou Reed, I really carried a torch for the songs sung by the lady with the weird low voice. So when I was fourteen my mom took me to Film Forum to see the documentary, Nico: Icon and I got to learn everything about her. I was transfixed by the sparse, spooky songs she went on to write with John Cale. Nico, alone and cool at the harmonium, completely changed my idea about what a singer and a song could be. She just did whatever she wanted. The music was pure, chilly, timeless, and it scared the living daylights out of me!”

New to Nico? Alexa suggests you start here: “Nico’s records, Marble Index, Desertshore and End are definitely an acquired taste, but I think they are required listening. While the songs are sad, they are spacious and peaceful, like the sound of a big empty cathedral. Nico’s otherworldly voice soars over instrumentation that is at once futuristic and ancient. Who would have thought that such a stylish icon would go on to become a mystic and write songs that belonged to no place or time? Start with Marble Index and just let yourself go on the trip. I myself have yet to return.”

About our guest author, Alexa Wilding: Alexa is one of the few artists these days that can back her style with substance. Yes, her career got a huge bump by snagging Ivana Helsinki founder/designer Paola Suhonen to direct her Black Diamond Day video from her self titled debut album (clip below), but music heavy hitters have continued to line up to assist on her upcoming follow up album, Coral Dust. How’s this all-star lineup sound: Tim Foljahn (who worked with Cat Power and Thurston Moore) produces, Television’s Fred Smith mixes and Fred Kevorkian (Regina Spektor) masters. Enough cred for ya? Her style is completely unique, combining a splash of folk and tons of atmospheric wonder. The NY Times calls her “the neo-Stevie Nicks.” We hear that, but labels are sure to to slide off of Alexa. She’s truly unique and her sound will continue to shape-shift. Get hip to everything Alexa at her site http://alexawilding.com/.