"Like a Vivian Maier of folk music"

January 15, 2016 5:47 AM

Like many others, Connie Converse was a struggling musician in New York in the 1950s, trying to secure a record deal. She never did, and in 1961 she left New York and music behind. For 13 years, she lived a conventional life in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then she disappeared, sending letters to her family and friends saying that she was leaving to start a new life. She has never been heard from since. Years after her disappearance, her music has been rediscovered, with fans calling her a pioneer of the singer-songwriter style that came to prominence in the decades after she stopped making music. How a 90-year-old missing person became a hit on Spotify.

Previously

posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious (16 comments total)

"Johnny's Brother" sounds like my grandmother covering Belle and Sebastian; an album titled "How Sad, How Lovely" doesn't hurt the case, either, thought it may be a bit more blunt than B&S.
posted by entropone at 5:53 AM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

in 1961 she left New York and music behind. For 13 years, she lived a conventional life in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then she disappeared . . .

Perhaps she spent the next forty years cleverly disguised as Shakey Jake Woods, who started playing on the streets of Ann Arbor just about the time she disappeared.
 
posted by Herodios at 6:03 AM on January 15, 2016 [5 favorites]

This is new to me and I love it. Thanks.

Also, Gene Deitch is truly a living legend.
posted by bonobothegreat at 6:34 AM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

British singer-songwriter Nat Johnson did an entire concert of Connie Converse songs last year - Roving Women, Nat Johnson plays Connie Converse (bandcamp link). She also writes a bit about Connie on her website.
posted by ralan at 6:43 AM on January 15, 2016 [2 favorites]

"Spinning on Air" devoted a whole and fascinating episode to her in 2012, "Connie Converse: Walking in the Dark".
posted by ryanshepard at 6:48 AM on January 15, 2016 [3 favorites]

Wow, this is my first time hearing of her. Her music is lovely.
posted by shoesietart at 6:54 AM on January 15, 2016

That episode of Spinning on Air was my introduction to her. She's fascinating.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:38 AM on January 15, 2016

Whoa, I love this. Thanks.
posted by defenestration at 7:49 AM on January 15, 2016

I would like to hear this, but I looked her up on youtube and, in an effect observed only once before, everytime I play one of her songs, my dog starts crying. Maybe I will go to the office and try to listen there, but then again, if I like it I will have a problem, since I will never be able to play it at home.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:03 AM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

Converse is now hailed as both the first American singer-songwriter, and the “indie hipster of the moment.”

Totally, just look at her glasses
posted by thelonius at 8:04 AM on January 15, 2016

The moment will pass
posted by rhizome at 10:40 AM on January 15, 2016

Echoes of early Joni Mitchell...
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 10:45 AM on January 15, 2016

Amaziing how this world holds on to some of us.
posted by Oyéah at 12:15 PM on January 15, 2016 [4 favorites]

I found her via the WFMU blog a while back, and after half a listen of Squirrel Thing, immediately bought her album. I need to check out that documentary.
posted by mippy at 1:15 PM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

"Music journalist Robert Forster"... ? Uh, only on the side!
posted by Scram at 7:39 PM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

everytime I play one of her songs, my dog starts crying.

My late, lamented corgi-heeler mix used to do something like that. It was only with Björk, and only in the car, and it was 100% consistent.

I always wondered if she was trying to sing along.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 2:56 AM on January 16, 2016