Ferrick began her career singing and playing in coffeehouses in the East Village, New York.[2] She received a great deal of publicity in 1991 when she replaced, at the last minute, the opening act for the singer Morrissey on
... Ferrick began her career singing and playing in coffeehouses in the East Village, New York.[2] She received a great deal of publicity in 1991 when she replaced, at the last minute, the opening act for the singer Morrissey on tour. She was subsequently signed to a recording contract with Atlantic Records and released her first studio album, Massive Blur, in 1993.
Ferrick's relationship with Atlantic was rocky. She was dropped when her first two albums did not meet the producers' financial expectations.[citation needed]
In 1996, she -- in her words -- "bottomed out", drinking and "taking a bunch of pills".[3] After sobering up, she returned to music, signing with the indie label W.A.R.? - What Are Records?. Ferrick released three albums on this label.
In 2000, Ferrick founded her own record label, Right On Records. The first studio album released on her own label was Valentine Heartache. Since her departure from Atlantic, the rise in her popularity has been driven by her fan-base, by reviews in the independent and alternative press, and by word-of-mouth.[citation needed]
In the Eyes of Strangers, released in October 2006, was the sixth album released on her own label. Ferrick partially financed the recording costs for In The Eyes of Strangers with digital downloads of acoustic versions of select songs which fans could purchase directly via her website.[4] Her fourteenth album, Goodbye Youth, was released September 2008.[5]
During live performances, Ferrick mostly accompanies herself on a Collings OM3 SB acoustic guitar. She has also experimented with loop pedals and a range of accompaniments, including, in particular, brass instruments.
Ferrick's rigorous touring schedule generally includes more than 150 shows per year.[6] She plays solo gigs in small to medium-sized clubs and numerous festivals, as well as larger venues accompanied by a band. In 2007, she performed at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, and opened for Indigo Girls and Ani Difranco.[citation needed]
Her musical inspirations include Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel, Earth Wind and Fire, The Beatles, Tori Amos, Coldplay, Radiohead, Dave Matthews, Ryan Adams,Ani DiFranco.[7]
