Serafina Steer, Three Beards, more

Serafina Steer
http://www.myspace.com/drumstreetsefa

First thing that strikes you about Serafina's sound is her grasp of the harp, and unlike that other harpist who's been haunting the column inches so regularly (Joanna something is it?) she plays in a somewhat traditional style. Gorgeous cascades of singing & stringwork underpins every single track beautifully and while there's the tiniest bit of electronic manipulation or occasionally a piano poking up its ivory head, this is essentially an album of harp-pop.

The other key ingredient in Sefa's canon is her voice; she sounds something like the archetypal English rose but she swears too, just to make you all hot under the collar. No doubt this will achieve comparisons galore to Ms Newsom, but what I find so unique about Sefa's work is that it has its roots deeply embedded in classic British folk tradition, from the vocals to her very distinctive instrumental touch even down to the lyrical content. Boomkat

http://www.myspace.com/threebeards