Chris Pureka Issue #42

How I Learned to See in the Dark (Sad Rabbit Music)

By Kelley Hecker
Published: July 1st, 2010 | 7:00am

Northampton, Massachusetts singer-songwriter Chris Pureka earned a biology degree from Wesleyan and toiled in a microbiology research lab post-graduation, but it wasn’t long before she left her day job for music, her true passion. Pureka penned her first song when she was 8 years old, picked up the guitar at 16, and now (at 30) is releasing her third LP, How I Learned to See in the Dark, on her own label, Sad Rabbit Music.

Over the course of Dark’s 12 tracks, Pureka displays her dexterity—not only on acoustic and electric guitar but also on the lap steel, banjo, and porch board to create a much edgier, faster-paced set of songs. She’s also a gifted storyteller and on Dark has crafted songs more abstract than her prior releases, while still retaining the urgency fans have come to love, especially on the beautiful “Time Is the Anchor.” Pureka has a loyal yet small fanbase. Hopefully the many standout tracks on Dark, including “Wrecking Ball” and “Lowlands” will help her reach the larger audience she deserves. It would be a shame for such gems to go largely unnoticed.

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