Edie Brickell: The Voice of Folk Rock's Casual Cool
Edie Brickell is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1980s with her band New Bohemians. Her major achievement was the 1988 album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, which went platinum and launched the hit single What I Am.
Early career
Born in Dallas, Texas, Edie Brickell began performing in local clubs. Her casual, conversational vocal style and folk-rock sensibilities quickly caught attention, leading to the formation of Edie Brickell & New Bohemians.
Breakthrough
The band's 1988 debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, released on Geffen Records, became a surprise commercial success. Propelled by the philosophical and catchy lead single What I Am, the album reached the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum.
Key tracks
What I Am - This breakthrough single defined her early sound and became a Top 10 pop hit in 1989.
Circle - A fan favorite from the debut album, showcasing the band's jam-friendly folk-rock dynamics.
Good Times - This track from the 2006 album Stranger Things marked her reunion with the New Bohemians.
Hunter Gets Captured by the Game - A later solo work highlighting her continued evolution as a songwriter.
Following the whirlwind success of the debut, Brickell and the band released the follow-up Ghost of a Dog in 1990. She later pursued a solo career, exploring more introspective songwriting on albums like Picture Perfect Morning in 1994. After a hiatus focused on family, Brickell reunited with New Bohemians for 2006's Stranger Things and later collaborated with Steve Martin on the Grammy-winning bluegrass albums Love Has Come for You (2013) and So Familiar (2015).
Fans of Edie Brickell's conversational folk-rock style may also enjoy the work of Suzanne Vega for her literate and melodic acoustic storytelling. The earthy, band-driven sound of 10,000 Maniacs shares a similar late-80s alternative folk spirit. Listeners might also appreciate the candid songwriting of Aimee Mann, who blends pop craft with lyrical depth.
Edie Brickell's distinctive blend of folk, rock, and pop continues to resonate on classic rock and adult alternative radio stations. Her catalog, from the breakout anthems to her collaborative bluegrass work, maintains a steady presence on various online radio streams dedicated to singer-songwriters and timeless alternative music.
You can discover the music of Edie Brickell by tuning into the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where her songs are regularly played across our curated network of music channels.
