And I can certainly relate to your response to Joanna Newsom – as I mention, had she not been stuck in my iPod shuffle for a few days, I wouldn’t have found my way in, and I don’t believe that’s a reasonable trial period for most acts, though I’m always glad when something I might have ignored reveals itself to me that way.

I think – am certain, in fact – that one of her songs is used in an advert for a mobile phone network, with a fetching premise. The New York in a power-cut one? Anyway, I think that song may have been my way in.

My Brightest Diamond have that artistic edginess that you get with Arcade Fire sometimes, or The Dears. Actually, my cousin G played with a band called Moth who MBD remind me of a little. I will have to root some of their stuff out for you to give a listen!

I couldn’t connect with Joanna Newsom. She has a pretty voice but it cuts at me a tad. My gut reaction seconds in was that this was a Lainey–song. I don’t mean that mean, but it’s the kind of song I’d only hear because she handed me her iPod. It’s nice that it’s hers but I know it isn’t mine. That’s Joanna Newsom I think.

Even though I have plenty of female vocalists running through my music library, there isn’t too much of the twee, precious stuff. Rocking out (with metaphorical balls), a haunting or perhaps slightly seductive tone works well with me, but there’s something about singing like a four–year old that I can’t connect with (Björk excepted). Had I once been a four year–old girl then maybe I’d have a grounding.

How about Bat For Lashes? Heard any?