Swirling chiffon scarves billowing on stage, a voice that soars and commands attention, lyrics spun with tales of love and heartache – this is the image that comes to mind with the legendary Stevie Nicks.
Her influence on music is undeniable, shaping the sound of generations of artists. From the ethereal melodies to the folksy roots and captivating stage presence, it’s a sound that’s been emulated endlessly, but never truly replicated.
But what if you’re craving a modern dose of that magic? This list dives into five contemporary artists who’ve taken inspiration from Stevie Nicks’ diverse soundscape. We’ll explore artists channeling her 70s folk-rock roots, her 80s embrace of synthesizers, and everything in between.
Weyes Blood
While Weyes Blood—the musical moniker of Natalie Laura Mering—may not possess the soaring high notes of Stevie, her vocals share a captivating dreaminess. Mering’s voice settles in a lower register, yet it carries a similar ethereal quality.
Just like the Fleetwood Mac songstress, Weyes Blood’s music delves into themes of love and longing, creating a soft, organic folksiness that evokes a similar atmosphere. Listeners can easily find echoes of classic Nicks tracks like “Bella Donna” and “Rhiannon” within Mering’s songs, particularly “Andromeda” and “Wild Time”.
HAIM
The sisterly trio of HAIM wears their Stevie Nicks influence proudly. Their sound leans heavily on Nicks’ rock and roll spirit, a departure from the folkier side of her music. This connection is evident when listening to their discography, where traces of Nicks’ diverse style shine through.
HAIM captures the essence of Nicks’ iconic three-part harmonies, creating their own ethereal blend of vocals. Furthermore, their music exudes a confident swagger that mirrors the “Rhiannon” singer’s powerful stage presence. Tracks like “The Wire” and “Little of Your Love” wouldn’t sound out of place alongside Stevie’s’ anthem “Stand Back”, showcasing the undeniable influence of the rock icon.
Adrianne Lenker
Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker carves out a distinct space in her solo work, echoing the raw and stripped-down side of Stevie. Lenker’s voice floats light and airy, a contrast to the heavier, almost “clunky” quality (meant in the best way!) of the piano and guitar in her music.
This instrumentation creates a deep emotional wellspring, reminiscent of the vulnerability present in Nicks’ songs like “Leather and Lace”, “Wild Heart”, and “Sorcerer”. Unlike the full-fledged rock side of Nicks’ repertoire, Lenker focuses on a more intimate and folk-oriented sound, drawing a clear connection to these specific Nicks classics.
Florence Welch
Florence Welch embodies the same ethereal spirit as Stevie Nicks. Both possess captivating vocals that soar with a unique, almost otherworldly quality. While their voices share a certain magic, it’s difficult to truly compare them – each artist remains a singular force in the musical landscape.
Welch’s music takes a clear page from the Fleetwood Mac lead singer’s theatrical playbook. Songs like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Trouble in Shangri-La” find echoes in Welch’s own dramatic compositions, complete with a penchant for flowing dresses and scarves that add a visual layer to the performance.
Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis, best known for fronting Rilo Kiley, channels a strong sense of Stevie Nicks’ 1970s groove. Tracks like her recent “Psychos” pulsate with a distinctly 70s vibe, reminiscent of Nicks’ own work during that era. Lewis also weaves in touches of the folksy charm that characterized Fleetwood Mac’s sound in the 70s, creating a sound that evokes a similar nostalgia.
While Lewis leans more heavily on Nicks’ Fleetwood Mac years than her 80s solo material, there are still subtle echoes of Lewis’ influence on Nicks’ later work. Listen closely, and you might catch hints of Lewis’ style in even a powerhouse anthem like “Stand Back”.