by: Amy Wagner

Canadian singer/songwriter Basia Bulat scored the opening slot at St. Vincent’s Bowery Ballroom gig and she made the most of it! Specializing in the kind of joyful tunes that make you want to romp through enchanted forests at twilight, the spunky young singer took turns switching back and forth between an auto harp and a guitar. Bulat’s songs definitely fall into the folk category but there’s nothing fey or shy and retreating about her performance. She has a husky full-bodied voice and a rousingly energetic stage presence that is nothing short of radiant. Though she only played a short set, Bulat did a great job of picking the best songs from her solid debut disc Oh, My Darling (Rough Trade). “In the Night” with it’s joie de vivre and the more thoughtful “The Pilgriming Vine” were note perfect while “I Was A Daughter” had the audience clapping along. Here’s a video of Basia Bulat singing “In the Night.”