Vocalists with Ethereal Qualities

[Servbot24]

Hard for my to describe exactly what I mean, "ethereal" is the best word I can think of, but it doesn't have to be super specific, this quality can exist in a wide variety of singers. Some of it is the effects on the voice, some of it is just the voice itself. I always find myself really drawn to these types of vocalists. Not necessarily just interested in voices that merely have tons of reverb applied to them.

Examples:

Jon Anderson from Yes (you should listen to the whole song but I timestamped my favorite part.... I GET DOOOOOOOOOOOOWN):

Close to the Edge:

View: https://youtu.be/51oPKLSuyQY?t=636

Jonas Bjerre from Mew... man this band just makes me swoon 🥰

Louise Louisa:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR7yUyLF26w

Bjork is probably one of the first replies that would get posted in this thread. Bjork is such a dynamic singer that sometimes she does this and sometimes she has completely different styles. This song for instance is on target (and so damn good):

An Echo, A Stain:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQp9D2-2cW8



Anyways kind of a vague topic but curious to hear any examples you have along these lines!

 

[Night]

I didn't much enjoy any of the examples OP but this is my offering.

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[Sign My Guestbook!]

Elizabeth Fraser

 

[SeeingeyeDug]

View: https://youtu.be/XjuBbMW3FN4

 

[LewieP]

Tom Smith from The Editors.

Editors - The Racing Rats

Editors - The Racing Rats

youtu.be

 

[Lys Skygge]

Victoria Legrand from Beach House

View: https://youtu.be/RBtlPT23PTM

 

[SolidSnakex]

View: https://youtu.be/XjuBbMW3FN4

Click to shrink...

Yeah, Laufey is my choice as well


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK02xDT_RWA&ab_channel=Laufey

 

[Sacrilicious]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-GdUBhJZc2k

 

[andymcc]

Elizabeth Fraser

Click to shrink...

that should have been the OP lol

 

[J_Viper]

Chino Moreno/Deftones from Diamond Eyes onwards

Deftones - Diamond Eyes [Official Music Video]

Deftones' official video for the title track, "Diamond Eyes." Listen to Deftones: https://bio.to/deftones 🔔 Subscribe to the channel: https://youtube.com/...

youtu.be

 

[Window]

Elizabeth Fraser. Mostly female vocalists come to mind.

 

[lush]

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- YouTube

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Invisible

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesInvisible · GrouperDragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill℗ 2008 GROUPERReleased on: 2007-04-30Auto-generated by YouTube.

youtu.be

Sade's Love Deluxe

 

[Sephiroth]

I hope I'm understanding this thread...


View: https://youtu.be/erOMPA0Y0m8

 

[TheWorthyEdge]

Sade.

Like a Tattoo

Sade · Song · 1992

open.spotify.com

 

[The Gold Hawk]

Susan Anway RIP


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKXkVUM4xu8

 

[Dangerblade]

Liz Fraser as already mentioned but the biggest embodiment of thos to me is Lisa Gerrard. Obligatory:


View: https://youtu.be/hThAlY3Q2Kw

 

[D O T]

Elizabeth Fraser is a great pick.

View: https://youtu.be/LRFWkkIXBxM

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Beth Gibbons also one of my fav.

View: https://youtu.be/kBOaLjtR4mw

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and also the GOAT Bilinda Butcher.

View: https://youtu.be/PpXZAmeQDqY

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youtu.be

 

[Ubik]

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[flook]

Liz Fraser definitely but also Kate Bush, Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab) and Beth Gibbons (Portishead)

Edit: Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso) and Stina Nordenstam also.

 

[Psamtik]

Hope Sandoval, that is all.

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[Servbot24]

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Click to shrink...

Surprised it took so long to mention Jonsi, I thought he would be the first post

 

[Daimon]

Don't know if I'm understanding this thread correctly but I think Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation) and Simone Simons (Epica) are good examples of singers with ethereal voices.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsQIOgkZt68&ab_channel=WithinTemptationVEVO


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNoTvg0t52c&ab_channel=EPICA

 

[ForgeForsaken]

Allison Shaw of Cranes

Cranes - Beautful Friend (Video)

Music video by Cranes performing Beautful Friend. (C) 1994 Dedicated

youtu.be

 

[DongBeetle]

Art Garfunkel

 

[D O T]

this guy also pretty good.

View: https://youtu.be/BbWBRnDK_AE

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[teruterubozu]

Kirsty Hawkshaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKkg-uKZr6A

 

[Window]

Feel like we're mostly posting obvious ones so need to give Rachel Goswell/Slowdive a shout.

Yeah I don't know how I forgot about Sigur Ros.

I'm not a big fan but maybe Cigarettes after Sex qualify too?

I also like the main theme/chant from the Ghost in the Shell anime film.

Julie Christie (Falling obviously but Nightingale is even better). Lynch likes this style of music in general.

 

[nolongerexists]

this guy also pretty good.

View: https://youtu.be/BbWBRnDK_AE

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Click to shrink...

Thom Yorke is probably the first that came to my mind. Dude's voice may as well be from another dimension.

Hope Sandoval, that is all.

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Click to shrink...

I've always loved Hope Sandoval's voice, she was the next that came to mind. Her stuff with The Warm Inventions is great too.

 

[Titantodd]

The people who suggested Victoria Legrange from Beach House and Jonsi from Sigur Ros are my friends today.

A few more who come to mind:

AURORA:

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=06ht9MyJLT4&pp=ygUeYXVyb3JhIHJ1bm5pbmcgd2l0aCB0aGUgd29sdmVz

Lanterns on the Lake:

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TO78USTtPyo&pp=ygUsbGFudGVybnMgb24gdGhlIGxha2UgdGhyb3VnaCB0aGUgY2VsbGFyIGRvb3I%3D

And Peter Silberman of The Antlers is a rare male voice that's good at this, I think:


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h01qGTN6mno&pp=ygURdGhlIGFudGxlcnMgc2hpdmE%3D

 

[collige]

That haunting singing style + reverb combination is common in a lots of late 60's/70's rocksteady and early reggae. I think Cornell Campbell is the best and most consistent at it.

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See also: Alton Ellis, Slim Smith & The Techniques, The Heptones, pretty much anything from Studio One during that era

The Techniques 'Queen Majesty' (Official Audio)

Official audio for the Techniques' 1967 rock steady classic, 'Queen Majesty'.After forming in the mid-Sixties, the Techniques repeatedly proved themselves to...

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[rockinreelin]

Everyones mentioned Liz but have completely forgotten Bilinda Butcher and even Kevin Shields in his prime could harmonize with here amazingly well. Ian Masters from the Pale Saints is also up there in the indie pantheon for ethereal voices.

 

[Hark]

Saw Weyes Blood recently and she was unbelievable, such an incredible voice.

 

[Ubik]

Also, tons of effects obviously, but you still gotta put respect on what Julianna Barwick and Ian William Craig do. They are basically ethereal vocals the genre.

Julianna Barwick - Inspirit (Official Video)

Taken from the album 'Healing Is A Miracle', released 10 July on Ninja Tune: https://julianna.lnk.to/healingYoDirector Of Photography: Joel Kazuo Knoernschil...

www.youtube.com

Ian William Craig - A Turn of Breath LP Advertisement (Recital)

Promotional video for Ian William Craig's debut LP, "A Turn of Breath," on Recital. Featuring the piece, Red Gate with Starling.The album is available now on...

www.youtube.com

 

[NewDust]

Tori Amos

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmk0AVNRBIY

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Loreena McKennitt

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_LWCpbk7hA

All Souls Night (2004 Remaster HD) (Remastered)

Provided to YouTube by Kontor New Media GmbHAll Souls Night (2004 Remaster HD) (Remastered) · Loreena McKennittThe Visit℗ Quinlan Road LimitedReleased on: 19...

www.youtube.com

 

[nolongerexists]

Also got to mention Twigs, who is just insanely talented and has a tremendous vocal range. When she goes into falsetto it's otherworldly:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNodeNnXWy0

 

[Skade]

Laure le Prunenec has a very specific voice that can be considered "ethereal" i'd say (or sometimes quite creepy).


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfFUcxMb0uo

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASe5or_YJQA

 

[Mental Atrophy]

+1 for Aurora. Here's a live cover of "Walking in the Air" in a cool chapel.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUeYTWXn0Qk

 

[EggShen's6DemonBag]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7cqkpy4QrQ

 

[wideface]

Lily Chou-Chou (Salyu)


View: https://youtu.be/PW1ZQ9ETsIs

 

[norn]

all the obvious stuff has been posted already (except... jeff buckley?), so i'll try to post some stuff that is relatively a little more under the radar, though probably consequently has a lower ethereal index or whatever

christopher michael taylor / sohn:

SOHN - Hue (Live with the Metropole Orkest)

The full album is out now digitally and on limited vinyl: https://sohn.ffm.to/livewiththemetropoleorkestLate last year SOHN shared the stage with the Grammy-...

www.youtube.com

rebecca coseboom of halou:

I Would Love To Give Up

Provided to YouTube by NettwerkI Would Love To Give Up · HalouWiser℗ Nettwerk ProductionsReleased on: 2001-10-23Music Publisher: Songs From Defend Defend Mu...

www.youtube.com

pat grossi / active child:

Active Child - Hanging On (Official Video)

"You Are All I See" Deluxe Version Available Now. Purchase on iTunes: http://bit.ly/acdeluxeDirected by: T.S. Pfeffer & Robert McHughhttp://pier-pictures.com

www.youtube.com

emilíana torrini:

Gus Gus-Is Jesus Your Pal?

Gus Gus-Is Jesus Your Pal?

www.youtube.com

(lol)

jake duzsik of health:

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cameron mesirow / glasser:

Glasser "Shape" - Official Video

The music video for Glasser's "Shape" directed by Jonathan Turner, from the album "Interiors" out now: http://smarturl.it/glasserinteriorsihttp://glassermusi...

www.youtube.com

tom krell / how to dress well:

How To Dress Well - A Power (Official Audio)

How To Dress Well - A Power (Official Audio)Buy "What Is This Heart?" iTunes - http://smarturl.it/htdwwithitunesWeird World - http://smarturl.it/htdwwithww

www.youtube.com

charlotte (loseth? oleena?) / sea oleena:

Sea Oleena ~ If I'm

First song from Shallow, out September 30th with Lefse RecordsPre-order here: http://lefserecords.limitedrun.com/products/531890-sea-oleena-shallow-pre-order...

www.youtube.com

andrew aged of inc.:

inc. - Angel

From the album "No World" - http://bit.ly/WXCNA3"Rodeo Clowns"Directed by: Daniel Aged, Andrew Aged, Ryan KuhlmanProducer: Lana KimDirector of Photography: D...

www.youtube.com

bonus feat. fka twigs:

FKA x inc.

Written, performed & produced by FKA twigs and inc.Video directed by Nick Walker and FKA twigs.DOP: Jeff BiermanMake Up: Sara UslanEditor: Blake Benham -Sawh...

www.youtube.com

 

[Mesoian]

Lou Rhodes' vocal ability sent me on a tear when I was in high school.

I'll likely never get to see Lamb live, but it's on my bucket list.


View: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=0jokZI9n-Ys&feature=share

View: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=F4JrYpRxIMs&feature=share

View: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qps4dFpRyow&feature=share

View: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPXhzL17oI&feature=share

 

[Kain-Nosgoth]

Yeah, Laufey is my choice as well


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK02xDT_RWA&ab_channel=Laufey

Click to shrink...

never heard of her before (TBF i'm not following much musical stuff, i rarely stumble on new stuff) but it's really good

 

[sionydus]

View: https://youtu.be/9aED02XuLwo


View: https://open.spotify.com/track/7AKxbxzkxm2ERWrd1ggniO?si=csFIBP7eQmO34sLFoVgt9w

 

[BLEEN]

Guy from Sigur Ros

 

[Nakadai]

Don't have a song of my own, but damn I love to see a Jon Anderson and specifically a Close to the Edge shout out!

 

[firehawk12]

I discovered Aurora last year through Sky and that's basically how I would describe her. She's like a magical creature who isn't from our world. lol

AURORA Live from COP26 | UMA Entertainment

Bonus AURORA content:COP26 Interview: https://youtu.be/E2jEHBREvacCOP26 Artist Panel: https://youtu.be/WfCfW6W2Owk- - - - - - - - - - - On Saturday 6th Novem...

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[SuperHans]

Enya has a real ethereal quality to her singing.


View: https://youtu.be/7kRVRwfdZEc

 

[The Ethereal One]

Elizabeth Fraser

Click to shrink...

Yup. Liz is probably my favorite as well.

Lisa Gerrard is another good pick. Enya of course. David Sylvian. Erin Welton of Autumn's Grey Solace.

 

[kafiend]

Heron Oblivion and if you like that, maybe Jefferson Airplane.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZKXaVsDco

 

[Ghost Rider]

View: https://youtu.be/yDZnKWdvTUo

Hozier has a a great voice