Biography of Neko Case

Singer/songwriter Neko Case first rose to prominence as a drummer in the punk-pop unit Maow before enjoying concurrent success as an alternative country-rocker. Born in 1970 in Alexandria, Virginia, Case later relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia to study art; there she joined Maow, which signed to the Mint Records label to issue their debut LP The Unforgiving Sounds of Maow. Pursuing her longtime love of country music, Case also signed on with the roots-rock group the Weasles before mounting her own solo project; assembling a backing band dubbed the Boyfriends -- comprised of members of the Softies, Zumpano, and Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet -- she soon began work on her debut LP The Virginian, released on Mint in 1997. Furnace Room Lullaby followed in early 2000. It was a mild hit at college radio, but critics loved Case's lovelorn country sweetness. Within 18 months, Case and Her Boyfriends prepped themselves for another album; Blacklisted appeared in August 2002 and earned Case her biggest praise yet. Blacklisted was sophisticated and dark, impressively intimate. An opening spot on the Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds stateside tour followed in September. ~ Jason Ankeny