Neko Case

The Profile

Neko Case is an American singer-songwriter from Virginia, renowned for her powerful, expressive voice and boundary-blurring mix of alt-country, indie rock, and folk. A longtime member of The New Pornographers, she launched her solo career in 1997 and records for Anti- Records. Acclaimed releases include Blacklisted (2002), Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (2006), Middle Cyclone (2009), and Hell-On (2018).

Born in 1970 in Alexandria, Virginia, to Ukrainian parents; lived in Tacoma and Vancouver, graduating in Art and Design in 1994. Member of The New Pornographers. Alt-country foundation expanded with folk, blues, and soul elements. Toured in 1998 with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Blacklisted was released in 2002 by Anti- Records. Frequent collaborators include Howe Gelb, Joey Burns, John Convertino, Garth Hudson, Marc Ribot, A.C. Newman, and Kelly Hogan. Middle Cyclone features recordings made in the barn on her Vermont farm. Noted for a wide vocal range and standout covers such as “Runnin’ Out Of Fools” and “Afraid.”

Four detailed reviews focus on Case’s alt-country core, expansive voice, and sharp songwriting. Blacklisted (2002) is praised for its nocturnal pathos; Fox Confessor (2006) as a polished small masterpiece; Middle Cyclone (2009) as mature and magnetic; and The Worse Things Get… (2013) as elegant, emotionally raw, and resilient. Collaborations with Calexico, Giant Sand, and others recur, alongside standout covers and murder-ballad narratives.