Dawn Kinnard may be a new and unfamiliar name right now, but if early reactions are anything to go by, all that will have changed by the end of 2008. Kinnard's unique voice and brilliant songwriting are already commanding attention and rightly so. The woman is an exceptional talent.

April 7th, 2008 sees the release of her astonishing debut album, 'The Courtesy Fall' on Kensaltown Records. It was produced by Martin Terefe (Martha Wainwright/KT Tunstall/James Morrison), and so impressed was he with Kinnard that she became the first signing to his fledgling label, Kensaltown Recordings.

'The Courtesy Fall' brims with dissolved edges, expansive-yet-intimate woozy-beautiful songs about freedom, insomnia and paranoia. At the centre of it all, there's Kinnard's smoke and honey voice which wraiths around and then cuts through the piano and strings and Dusty In Memphis percussion.

The album is littered with instantly loveable songs and hooks that hum their way into your personal headPod and stay there forever. Like the cute, woozy pop of "No Different Now". Or "Fortuneteller" which sees Kinnard channelling the troubled blues singers that so inspired her, in surreal cabaret style. Like the cinematic "Clear The Way", it's another perfect showcase for her incredible, intimate, emotionally drenched voice. Or the darker but no less compelling "Devil's Flame" which is edgy, confrontational, defiant and insightful.

'The Courtesy Fall' also contains a song, "One Little Step", co-written with Kinnard's friend and musical collaborator Cerys Matthews.

"All In Your Head" unfurls in a sleep-walking fug of guitars and barely-there drums before exploding in the kind of epic cloud-bursting that Arcade Fire specialise in. Then there's the acoustic, heartbreak hotel of "Lean To The Glass", which soundtracks a terrible, comforting loneliness that hangs around the song like early-morning cigarette smoke.

At the other end of 'The Courtesy Fall' there's a sleepy, damaged lullaby by the name of "White Walls". You know straight from the start that you're in the presence of greatness.

"All In Your Head" Download and Streams:

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Dawn has also been making a name for herself on the live circuit, captivating audiences with her quirky charm and off the wall humour. Catch her at the following dates:

Dawn Kinnard 2008 UK tour dates:

Dates could change! Go to Dawn Kinnard's Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

19th March LONDON - Soho Revue Bar
27th March LONDON - Power Acoustic Room
3rd April LONDON - Camden Enterprise
4th April MANCHESTER - Academy 2 with Devotchka
6th April GLASGOW - King Tut’s Wah Wah hut with Devotchka
7th April NEWCASTLE - Academy 2 with Devotchka
8th April BIRMINGHAM - Academy 2 with Devotchka
9th April LONDON - Scala with Devotchka
11th April LONDON - Wiltons Music Hall
12th April LEICESTER - The Donkey
26th April LANCASTER - Get It Loud In Libraries @ Lancaster Library, Lancaster

"She deploys her huskily resonant voice to devastating effect" - Q Magazine

Dawn Kinnard Official Website