Marjorie Fair

by Johnny LoftusMarjorie Fair -- the name's like a girl in argyle on a crisp autumn day. Maybe, but in actuality Marjorie is singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Evan Slamka. Slamka grew up in New Jersey before making his way to New York City, where he was in and out of groups in the usual way. Eventually he and pal Chris Tristram landed in Los Angeles, and working with friends perfected a lush, sometimes melancholy pop sound that drew from influences both old (Beach Boys) and new (Red House Painters, Elliott Smith). Slamka eventually caught the ear of Capitol, and around 2003 began work on the full-length debut of Marjorie Fair. (The name comes from a type of rose.) A host of big names worked on the record, including producers Rob Schapf and Jerry Finn, legendary L.A. music presence Jon Brion, organist and keyboardist Kim Bullard, and ace studio drummers Jim Keltner and Joey Waronker. The album that came to be called Self Help Serenade first appeared in the U.K. in 2004, and garnered gushing press for its tasteful '60s-meets-indie stroll. Serenade finally hit American shelves in July 2005. Touring to support the record, Slamka was joined by Dain Luscombe (keys), Scott Lord (bass), and Mike Delisa (drums).