Young alt-country vocalist Dawn Landes performed at New York City's grungey Mercury Lounge this past weekend, filling the small venue with her tangy-not-twangy voice. It is near the beginning of a long tour for the fresh face who has made a name for herself by releasing a single covering "Young Folks," originally released by Swedish trio Peter, Bjorn, and John.

There was a definite southern feel filling some typically mercurial Mercury Lounge Wednesday night. Landes was definitely the draw for the crowd of about 50 people, and you can tell that despite her recent coming to the music scene, she has an established fan base. She sang songs about love and sorrow, and more songs about love. But lyrics begone; Landes' voice and natural stage presence was the real treat of the night. She transitioned easily between keyboard and guitar, giving credit to her fellow bandmates in the most cordial way while also appreciating the audience's existence and enthusiasm.

The most exciting moment of the night, for both the crowd and a visibly buoyant Landes, was the performance of the aforementioned "Young Folks." The young songstress does not deliver the tune with the traditional trio's approach. No, she is not "whistlin' Dixie" with this tune. Rather, she and opening act Balthrop, Alabama members rumble a chord of "Young foooooooollllllllks......" before breaking into a very fast paced, but seemingly more relaxed, version of yesteryear's indie hit. The song sounds made for her new voice, and she trades verses with other band members, weaving a beautiful fabric of a song.

Opening for her was Balthrop, Alabama, a Decemberists-turned-old-timey-country group that may as well have been from Gimmick, Alabama. A 9-member band (ten if you count the artist whose drawings were projected onto a large screen behind the band), these nonet was no regular dog-and-pony show, although they did have a pony's head on a stick at the front of the stage, upon which a sign bearing the band's name hung. As well as adding sax and a lap steel guitar to the traditional guitar/bass/banjo/drums make-up, they had an artist creating drawings as songs were song. Typically the drawings related in some way to the lyrics being sung. These drawings were then projected onto a large screen behind the band. Toss in a few bizarre comments in between songs ("This song is about eternal love and necrophilia," says one member. "Same thing!" replies the keyboardist), and you've got a strange brew of wild, but talented, musicians. It is worth noting that many members of the group joined Landes onstage for her performance, giving her sound the depth and ingenuity that they provided for their own set.