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Country, folk, and torchy pop gather like old friends in this San Francisco songstress's burnished tunes. Centered on softly insistent vocals (somewhere between Aimee's and Emmylou's), Laube's songs layer in plucky mandolin, quavering slide, and enough good faith to keep the campfire burning late.

Described as "a name you'll want to remember" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Anna Laube makes intimate, heartfelt songs rooted in traditional Americana. With a strong voice reminiscent of Neko Case or Jenny Lewis, Laube sings with a slight but refreshing country twang over a mix of blues, country and folk. Now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Laube was raised in Iowa City, IA and Madison, WI. She's also spent time in Minnesota, Florida and Belgium. Her debut CD is Outta My Head. It's a collection of 12 original tracks on life and love, featuring Birger Olsen, Nick Moran, Jason Quever and Mark Whitcomb. The featured track, "Angelina," is and ode to Laube's guitar.

Sure, it's mighty fine to have that warm, tingly feeling rippling up and down your spine as you discover your newest favorite song by an artist to whom you would hand over the keys to your heart, but let's fess up: nothing comes close to being frozen in place by a song that pricks up your ears and leaves you begging, "Who was that?!" I'm lucky enough to still feel my head swimming from such a moment. "Something I Can Feel," from the recent debut release by Anna Laube, Outta My Head (Gingko Records), lured me from the grayness of my computer and whisked me off to better, brighter places. Fans of Jolie Holland, Dolly Parton, and Sarah Harmer, take note: this local singer-songwriter has a name you'll want to remember. (Todd Lavoie)

Think: Emmylou Harris meeting Aimee Mann and becoming one person (an altogether too forced Disney-ish romp that somehow works). Acoustic, atmospheric, wide open, and western. Dirt covered highways and the setting sun. Along with beautiful folk tunes, Laube slips into old ragtime blues quickly and simply (“If You Build It”). Listen to the gorgeous “Something I Can Feel.”

San Francisco-based folky singer-songwriter Anna Laube sounds like a glass of lemonade on the back porch of a Southern plantation. If you like Emmylou Harris or an emotionally lighter Lucinda Williams, hit Linnaea's Cafe this Monday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. and check out Laube. The multi-instrumentalist has an arresting voice, a keen ear for penning immediately affecting folk tunes, and the kind of crisp albeit unobtrusive musicianship that'll knock you back on your heels.

San Francisco singer Anna Laube can be described is just one word: tender. If you like mellow folk songs, this is a singer you want to check out. She released an album in 2006, Outta My Head, and has a busy touring schedule covering the coffee house circuit that has been embracing her kind of music for decades. She sounds like the favorite aunt most people never actually had -- a husky voice embedded slide guitar, upright piano and easy going drums and bass.

Former Madisonian Anna Laube returns from California to release her new album Pool All The Love * Pool All The Knowledge, which follows up the pleasant, intimate singer-songwriter tunes from 2006's Outta My Head. Laube tracked a good part of the record in Madison with Whitcomb behind the boards, and a cast of local musicians helped to round out the sound. Judging by new songs like "Hippie Boyfriend," Laube's still paying attention to the traditions of acoustic folk, but doesn't mind bringing the light-'n'-playful side.T