Like a punk folk western where the Rio Grande meets 1950's coffee bar New York, a quaint tale of broken lonely love is pitted against the flight of a finch. Dan Sartain, the rockabilly noodling dude from Alabama, sings the story with haunting clarity and vivid imagery. Without cluttering the sound or bombarding the ear, he finds ample room for horns, strings, drama and intrigue - all with a retro-chico flavour.

He is earning encouraging reviews with new album Join Dan Sartain, released in October last year, and his growing following will be able to see the pencil 'tached one for a handful of dates in the UK in early February. Flight of the Finch will undoubtedly prove a live highlight. Coupled with the equally grandiose Besame Mucho, his unique brand of rockabilly is a worthy distraction from the angular guitar generation.

For more information visit www.myspace.com/dansartain or www.indian.co.uk/dansartain

Catch him live in February:

Thursday 1st Cambridge, The Loft
Friday 2nd Oxford, Zodiac
Saturday 3rd Bristol, Thekla
Sunday 4th Leeds, Cockpit
Tuesday 6th Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy
Wedsday 7th Manchester, Roadhouse
Thursday 8th London, 100 Club

Rob Barnett, Music News