RADAR: Jessie Baylin

It's been an interesting couple of years for L.A. singer/songwriter Jessie Baylin. Following the release of her fine major label debut Firesight in 2008 -- an expanded reworking of her own indie-released album You -- Baylin ultimately split with her label Verve, met and married Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill and then moved with her new hubby to his Nashville stomping ground. There she began to rethink her music, meeting up with local singers and musicians and reformulating her sound, retaining some aspects of her earlier jazzy/cabaret "Hotel Cafe"-styled leanings (a sound that Verve tried to ply in a "new Norah Jones" strategy) but expanding as well into new, sonically more "classic" pop territory.

Produced by Kevin Augunas with Richard Swift, Baylin's new Grand St. -- set for spring 2011 release -- was given a sneak preview with new track "Hurry Hurry", the first song recorded for the new project and one that she tells Spinner helped "set the tone for the rest of the sessions." Incorporating lush string arrangements and opulent 60's-era production -- think Dusty Springfield at her grandest -- "Hurry Hurry" is now wrapped as a video as well, thanks to some on-set direction from childhood friend Scarlett Johansson. Fellow Music City songwriter Courtney Jaye and the Watson Twins have added vocals to the new album, which will include songs that Baylin road-tested this past summer at Bonnaroo and local club dates: "Yuma", "Little Spark" and "Honey Call Me" among them. Stay tuned.

Jessie Baylin - "Hurry Hurry" (from the album Grand St.)

Jessie Baylin - "Leave Your Mark" (Original version from indie album You)