My Brightest Diamond: “Reaching Through To The Other Side”
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Sufjan Stevens might be one of the biggest names in indie music circles these days, but he’s had help from some Texas friends. Annie Clark, otherwise known as St. Vincent, grew up in Dallas and joined Stevens’ touring band before embarking on her own. And Shara Worden, otherwise known as My Brightest Diamond, did the same. After receiving a degree in Classical Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas in Denton, Worden became a key backup singer on Stevens’ “Illinoise” tour back in 2005. She then moved to New York, and My Brightest Diamond was born.
My Brightest Diamond started work on two widely-divergent albums in 2006: A Thousand Shark’s Teeth, recorded with a string quartet, and Bring Me The Workhorse, which showed off Worden’s rock impulses. These two sides lie at the heart of My Brightest Diamond. Worden is capable of mixing operatic vocals with electric guitars or classical strings with synthesizers, and the result is captivating and often challenging.
My Brightest Diamond’s latest album, All Things Will Unwind, will come out on October 18. Worden recorded with the yMusic Ensemble, a classical group that shares Worden’s love of experimental flourishes. “Reaching Through To The Other Side” is packed with details, but they all serve to highlight Worden’s expressive voice. Both the song and the group itself are a perfect summation of all the different parts.
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