Katie Moore

With her heart melting voice, Montreal's Katie Moore could rightly be compared to Emmylou Harris and Iris Dement, yet her country music is much closer to soul, with deep grooves that make Montebello a stirring musical mélange. A critically acclaimed solo artist, Moore is also a key component of bizarre hip-hop/klezmer artist Socalled's circle of collaborators and, as such, she possesses an eclectic musical palette and a rich sense of humour. But in her folk music ventures there is gravitas; the anthemic qualities of "Another Dollar" and "Wake Up Like This" make them calls to arms, showcasing a strong voice and perspective. Montebello is ripe with adversity, an earthy blues record made by musicians on a higher plain that showcases the enigmatic Katie Moore as a kindred spirit to Will Oldham: a true blue artist, unloading precious weight from her weary mind.