ACL Artist Profile: Basia Bulat

While not too widely known outside her native Canada, Basia Bulat has gained a loyal and devoted fan base since her 2007 debut Oh, My Darling. Her unique voice and folksy tunes managed to catch the ears of the people in charge of the prestigious Polaris Prize, for which that album was nominated. Others may be familiar with her work because of the placement of one of her songs, "Before I Knew," in a Suburu commercial last year.

Unlike the more hushed and subdued music of her contemporaries, Bulat's music has a unique kick to it, thanks to the diverse instrumentation that Bulat utilizes. She plays the vast majority of the instruments on her records, including this year's Heart of My Own, yet she is most often seen playing the auto harp onstage. She is joined by her brother Bobby on the drums, where his insistent playing gives songs like "Gold Rush" and "In the Night" the percussive drive that most folk artists tend to shy away from. The group's sound comes to fruition through Bulat's voice, an alto that is as distinct as it is forceful. Canada has been a hotbed for great folk bands the last half-decade, and Basia Bulat are more than willing to make as enjoyable a contribution as they can. -Ryan Lester

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