Folk

Now out on her own, following a long stint in Throwing Muses, Alabama-born Kristen Hersh is generally perceived as a kooky singer/songwriter who moans a lot - an older spiritual sister to Alanis Morrissette. The reality is somewhat different. The signs are there on her fourth solo album, Sky Motel, a record that sees Hersh evolving from a reclusive, virtually enigmatic modern folk artist into a songwriter able to deal with all sorts of complex issues that form the backbone of fractured personal relationships. Expect excellent insightful (if slightly abstract) confessional songs as well as some Appalachian folk ballads. Kristen Hersh performs at The Black Box, Galway, as part of the Galway Arts Festival, on Monday, and at Dublin's HQ on Tuesday and Wednesday.