Lindi Ortega at SubCulture

Lindi Ortega would not be an obvious country singer. She was born in Toronto, Ontario, of an Irish-American mother and a Mexican father. Nicknamed "Indie Lindi" over a decade in the Toronto music scene, she recorded her first independent album in 2001. It was country music from the southern United States that called her, however, so she relocated to Tennessee and, closer to the music that inspired her, released her Tin Star album on October 8.

Headlining at SubCulture tonight, Ortega was faithful to a mix of old and new country music styles. With a soulful soprano voice that often sounded like Dolly Parton, she served up a sound that hauntingly recalled the pre-outlaw styling of Hank Williams and yet sounded as contemporary as any modern pop singer. With a brassy look and spunky personality, Ortega could easily move into cabaret, but her songwriting seemed too honest for that. Her performance was more about baring her soul through music, with only a touch of show business shtick for flavor. Backed by a bare-minimum trio of musicians, Ortega's solid songwriting became a brilliant showcase for her outstanding country blues voice.

Lindi Ortega headlines SubCulture again tomorrow night. Visit her at www.lindiortega.ca.