Los Angeles native Mara Connor has shared a completely fresh take on Fats Domino's "Ain't That A Shame" today, on what would have been the iconic songwriting legend's 93rd birthday. The cover, which takes as much inspiration from the works of David Lynch as it does from the original 1955 classic itself, is now available to stream everywhere -- hear it on the platform of your choice HERE.
”Fats Domino basically invented rock and roll," Connor says. "‘Ain’t That A Shame’ was the first song John Lennon learned to play, George Harrison said ‘I’m In Love Again’ was the first rock ‘n’ roll song he ever heard, and Elvis called Fats the ‘real king of rock ‘n’ roll’ but somehow Fats gets left off of a lot of lists featuring many artists that he inspired.”
Never one to rest on her laurels, Connor has much more music planned for the rest of this year. Stay tuned for news on more unique cover adaptations and original music from the songwriter that American Songwriter called "a mod balladeer and an indie folk goddess."
HEAR "AIN'T THAT A SHAME" (FATS DOMINO COVER)
Connor recorded "Ain't That A Shame" in New York City (pre-pandemic) with producer friend Griffin Emerson. Mara’s beloved grandfather James Connor had just passed away -- he was a big Fats Domino fan and told stories of seeing Fats play on a houseboat in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 1959. Connor inherited a reverence for retro music and poetry from her grandfather. This song is dedicated to him.
Connor's LA roots shine through her songs, which are drenched in the sound and spirit of Southern California and harken back to a bygone era of music. Her debut single “No Fun” was lauded by Rolling Stone (as a “Song You Need to Know” and playlisted with Neil Young and St. Vincent), and was also named Buzzbands’ No. 1 Favorite Song of The Year. Connor's follow-up duet with Langhorne Slim, “Someone New,” premiered via Consequence of Sound, and was named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear Now” (along with Lukas Nelson and Mavis Staples). Her third single “Wildfire” was praised by American Songwriter, who deemed her an “indie folk goddess.” Connor made her SXSW debut in 2019 and was called one of the “12 Best Up-and-Coming Artists at SXSW” (along with Yola) by Greg Kot of The Chicago Tribune.
