ABOUT
What began as my "pregnancy album" (the music I'd work on while I was feeling simultaneously inspired and morning sick) evolved (and devolved) into a six-month project that would keep me emotionally stable (sort of), mentally distracted, and creatively engaged during and after my miscarriage. Lost children, lost ecosystems, lost oxygen, lost friends, lost rights...and maybe soon, lost democracy and lost Earth. We stand at a precipice, staring into the eyes of demons all too familiar and severely underestimated. And yet, in the face of adversity, we must swim if we are to feel the sand. We must burn if we dare to touch the brand. And we must hurt so we can understand.
I had the honor of co-composing four of the songs on Crimson Daughter with Hawaii-based electronic artist Kamu (Jordan Jenkins), who was first introduced to music production during his second deployment to Iraq while serving in the U.S. Army in 2010. He returned to his home on Oahu where he continues to experiment and expand his music. His influences include Hippie Sabotage, Massive Attack, Portishead, Diplo, Major Lazer, J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Odesza, The xx, and Trevor Hall. He is available for co-production and projects. He can be reached at flykamu@gmail.com and check out his other work at www.soundcloud.com/flykamu.
I knew exactly what I wanted for the album cover art, and there was only one person who could capture the Daughter's essence so perfectly -- my friend and fellow "AmeriKiwi" Jess Lowcher. Her strict attention to detail, love of the photographic process, and beautiful soul helped birth the incredible cover art for this album. Jess is an exceptional lifestyle and wedding photographer and filmmaker - check out her work at www.jesslowcher.com. She's is also a fantastic illustrator with her own children's book that encourages girls to get into surfing!
I couldn't have made this album without the help of two extraordinary people - my husband Matt Smith (bass) and my good friend Erin Flynn (violin). Matt's bass playing appears on several tracks on this album, and Erin really pulled Picton Pickin' together with her fiddle playing. Both Matt and Erin have appeared on nearly every album I've put out since Mythica released Dangerous Little Monster back in 2006. Their contributions are essential to every album I make.
Born and raised in the United States and now a resident of New Zealand, Melissa Cox has been singing since she was three, and songwriting for over 20 years. Her tenth album, CRIMSON DAUGHTER is the culmination of two decades of Melissa's musical exploration of progressive rock, trip hop, World fusion, folk, and electronic music. Her influences include Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree, Bjork, Simon and Garfunkel, Massive Attack, Loreena McKennitt, Alanis Morissette, Led Zeppelin, and Cocteau Twins. Along with her former band Mythica, she has shared bills with the Spin Doctors, Sister Hazel, Three Dog Night, and Smash Mouth. She has been awarded several local and national songwriting awards. Her music is available for free at www.melcoxmusic.com.
