I inadvertently got loads of time to listen to some stockpiled stuff this weekend and at the forefront of the pack is this song from Nevada City’s Alela Diane from her forthcoming To Be Still album due in February on Rough Trade. It’s got a slight Joanna Newsom feel to the melody but ultimately, it’s a lovely folk song.
Alela Diane – White As Diamonds

Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
Dry Grass and Shadows is great too.
She’s a pal of Joanna Newsom believe it or not (they come from the same little town) but I think they sound pretty different. Great gig in Crawdaddy a few months back.