Dawn Landes: Fireproof (Shock)

Located somewhere between alt.folk and alt.country (sort of the urban/rural crossover) this Kentucky-born, New York-based singer-songwriter has supported the likes of Andrew Bird, Jose Gonzalez and Suzanne Vega, and overseas writers say if you like Cat Power, Beth Orton or Regina Spektor then Landes' subtle and intimate style is for you.

Agreed -- but there is more to her than that.

The opener here Bodyguard is a disconcerting and slippery slice of blues-cum-alt.folk which is oddly haunting, and later she country-funks her way through the sprightly and wry Picture Show.

At times she offers whisper-thin ballads and at others approaches an almost pop-country chime -- but in everything she is confident.

And if she seems one of the most hyphenated artists to appear at Elsewhere . . . . well, that makes her my kind of people.