Laura Cantrell

Fri., Aug. 8, 7.30 p.m., $12, with Carrie Rodriguez, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, tinangel.com.


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Published: Aug 5, 2008

country

Born in Nashville and based in NYC, country darling Laura Cantrell is beloved by people like Elvis Costello and John Peel (the iconic British DJ called her 2000 debut Not the Tremblin' Kind his "favorite record of the last 10 years"). Cantrell's sweet, gritty songs couple jubilant melodies with some well-placed minor chords and murder ballad imagery. Back after a three-year break (she took time off to become a mother), Cantrell is dreaming of the open road on a new download-only EP of travel-themed covers called Trains and Boats and Planes. Amid the restructured standards — Roger Miller, Gordon Lightfoot — Cantrell turns New Order's synth-pop classic "Love Vigilantes" into an Appalachian ballad, with Peter Hook's propulsive bass replaced by a mandolin. Backed by a stellar band, Cantrell's 13-year stint as a radio host on New Jersey's WFMU translates into a stage presence as easygoing and freewheeling as the songs she sings. Hop on board.

Fri., Aug. 8, 7.30 p.m., $12, with Carrie Rodriguez, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, tinangel.com.