Anna Calvi

Few of the debut albums we heard last year sounded quite as striking as Anna Calvi's. Over the ten tracks of her eponymous LP, the vampish songwriter alternately recalled PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley and even David Bowie – all shot through with a Lynchian sense of cinematic drama. Live, Calvi plays in a minimal band setting that gives maximum prominence to her richly expressive voice and unorthodox, occasionally flamenco-esque guitar playing. It's the kind of music that should work well in a sit-down venue such as Billboard Live, but if you prefer a more conventional gig setting, she'll be playing again at the Hostess Club Weekender on Sunday.