Sedona has been releasing singles at a fairly consistent clip since 2018, which makes it a bit of a surprise to consider that last month’s Getting Into Heaven marks the LA-based songwriter’s debut full-length. A culmination of her interests in modern synth-pop, ’90s radio hits, and indie rock’s recent emigration from big cities to the rural sprawl, the LP forgoes the easy greatest-hits route of repackaging any configuration of the nearly two dozen tracks she’d previously released over the course of almost a decade of artistic growth in lieu of a carefully curated package that transparently reflects the advanced stage she’s reached in that journey.
Now that we’ve had some time to familiarize oursevles with these new tracks, Sedona is sharing a playlist of influences with us that sheds light on some of the sonic reference points across the album, as well as the rhythmic and songwriting inspiration that’s been behind the artist since long before adopting this moniker. From Local H and Crowded House to Laura Nyro and Kitty Wells to Porno for Pyros and Ween, check out her playlist below.
Liz Phair, “California” (Girly-Sound Version)
Real, raw, raunchy. Liz gets me.
Eurythmics, “Take Me to Your Heart”
Everything in its right place. Rhythmically embodies the message of the song. Such a beautiful tune!
Porno for Pyros, “Kimberly Austin”
This song—the guitars, the vocal performance—it’s simple yet oozes so much energy. Simply oozes it! Makes me lose it!
Bryan Adams, “Heaven”
I’m a sucker for an ’80s love ballad...
Laura Nyro, “I Met Him on a Sunday”
Laura and I go way back. Been listening to her since before I could talk. She’s been subconsciously steering my songwriting ship since before I even knew what a word was.
Kitty Wells, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk”
I really love using biblical and religious storytelling in my songwriting—like that of Kitty Wells, Laura Nyro, Judee Sill, Gram Parsons...the list goes on and on.
Local H, “Bound for the Floor”
Can’t remember which, but definitely one of the years when I was writing the record, I listened to this song once a day for a whole year. I get obsessed with songs. I listened to “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen 22 times in a row a few months back.
The Replacements, “Androgynous”
This one is truly all-encompassing—the voice, the words, the piano. Play it at my wedding, sing it at my funeral.
Ween, “Sarah”
There’s a soft power in “Sarah” that I try to channel in my music. I feel safe when I listen to this one—something I also try to give people with my music. A lighthouse when you’re lost at sea.
Astrobrite, “Butterflykiss”
Driving at sunset to this, it’s got this repetitive lullaby nature to it. There’s a mystery in it that you never get to figure out. It’s a hauntingly beautiful soundscape.
Cass McCombs, “County Line”
One of my favorite songs—light on the ears but heavy on the heart.
Crowded House, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
A song made up of fatal one-liners. Lyrically, a perfect song.
