Petra Haden
Petra Haden: A Musical Chameleon with a Unique Voice
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Petra Haden is an American musician, singer, and songwriter known for her distinctive vocals and eclectic style. She was born on February 14, 1971, in Los Angeles, California.
Birth and Death Dates
February 14, 1971 - (still alive)
Nationality and Profession(s)
American
Musician (vocalist, guitarist)
Songwriter
Composer
Petra Haden is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who has explored various genres, from classical to rock and pop. Her versatility as a musician has made her a sought-after collaborator in the music industry.
Early Life and Background
Haden's musical talent was evident from an early age. Born into a family of musicians - her parents are Toots and the Maytals' bassist, Roy Haden, and former Tijuana Brass trombonist, Larry Haden - Petra began playing music at four years old. She grew up surrounded by talented musicians, which instilled in her an innate passion for creating and performing.
Major Accomplishments
Petra Haden's career spans numerous groundbreaking projects:
As a member of The Decemberists' "The Tain" (2004), she sang the lead vocals on their song "This Is Why We Fight," showcasing her operatic range.
In 2006, she released the critically acclaimed album Petra Haden Sings: Sophie Klopp, a collection of songs by the German composer, which earned her widespread acclaim for her unique interpretations of classical music.
As part of the indie-rock collective, That Dog, Haden contributed vocals to their self-titled debut album (1993) and several other releases.Notable Works or Actions
Petra's involvement in various musical projects reflects her versatility:
Silent Film Scores: She has created original scores for silent films by composer Carl Stalling, performed with orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and sung in numerous choral works.
* Collaborations: Haden has worked alongside musicians like The Decemberists, Joanna Newsom, and even provided vocals on a song by comedian and musician 'Weird Al' Yankovic.
Impact and Legacy
Petra Haden's innovative approach to music-making has inspired countless artists. Her collaborations with renowned musicians have pushed the boundaries of genre-defying work, while her solo projects demonstrate a fearless dedication to exploring new sounds.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
As an artist who consistently challenges conventions and embodies creative freedom, Petra Haden's unique voice is widely respected within the music industry. Her versatility has earned her numerous collaborations and critical acclaim, solidifying her place as one of the most innovative musicians of her generation.
Petra Haden's artistic vision continues to evolve, reflecting her passion for experimentation and collaboration. Her dedication to pushing musical boundaries ensures that her legacy will endure for years to come, inspiring new generations of artists to explore the limitless possibilities of sound.
Quotes by Petra Haden
I like things that start depressing and dark and end up romantic, and that's what I really loved about 'King Kong.'
I got a new 4-track cassette recorder a year or so after high school. For a while I would just stare at it thinking, how am I going to do this if I don't play guitar or keyboards? How am I going to write and record a song if I don't know how to play any instruments? I mean, I played the violin, but I didn't know anything about how to work a 4-track.
The Conversation was a movie I saw probably for the first time in the early 2000s. I immediately loved the piano and just how simple it is.
My forte is playing along and singing along to music I love. I mean, who knows, maybe I could develop that knack or develop that ability to write, and I do actually co-write with people and friends, which is fun, too, because then I don't have to worry about writing lyrics, because for me writing lyrics is impossible.
Eventually I had so many little melodies and ideas that, you know, that they were all songs to me and I threw in a few cover songs like Enya's "Watermark," Bach, and my dad's song, "Song for the Whales."
The first song I wrote was "Look Both Ways Before You Cross" from Imaginaryland. I started the song by singing a bass line, "hoo hoo hoo hoo."
It's my favorite movie score and because I had such a crush on Christopher Reeve. The music made me love him even more. You know when you hear music in a movie and it makes you fall in love with the characters? That's what happened.
I never punched in anything when I recorded Imaginaryland. Where the title came from is a whole other story.
Our dad played us a lot of old country songs by The Carter Family and he would sing along to it. I loved listening to him sing.
Harmony has always come very natural to us because we started singing harmony at an early age. We heard a lot of different music growing up.