Klarka Weinwurm

As a transplanted Torontonian, Klarka Weinwurm has acclimatized to the East coast's homemade approach to creativity quite quickly. Starting with multi-instrumental craftsmanship by Jon McKiel, in whose band she's been a key member, Weinwurm's construction has a little of everything. Though she sidesteps the folk-pop approach of other geographically similar female artists, her love of its roots peeks through in songs like "Tractor and Crane" and "Houses Shake," where she's aided by Old Man Luedecke and Ruth Minnikin, respectively. Elsewhere, hints of inspirations as disparate as Sonic Youth, Tiny Vipers and Selina Martin glitter in Weinwurm's winning combination of muscular, bass-driven rock and fragile vocal harmonies. If Continental Drag were a houseguest, it would definitely be an East coast one: friendly and reserved until the wee hours; modest but self-assured; seldom raising its voice; but always saying something unexpected and interesting.