A self-declared misanthropic songwriter, Cathi Bruns charmingly puts heartfelt feelings to paper. And the debut of her first album, Inner Radio, proves that she has a lot more up her sleeve: melodies to make you melt, winsome beats and a real way with guitar.

Inspired by folk pros like Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman, this catchy crooner decided just two years ago to learn guitar to give her many written songs some company. With the support of her guitar teacher and friends, Bruns found the strength to share her cheeky inner radio with the rest of us.

Writing and performing all of her own songs, lyrics and arrangements, Bruns produced a folk rock record in the comfort of her living room -- matching the acoustic aptitude of her greatest influences. Balancing lively, uplifting songs like I'm Okay (with lyrics like "I know there are stars for me to shine,") to more complex, intelligent tracks like For Your Consideration (in which she begs the subject to consider something she learned long ago -- take a chance and you might learn that love is only in return) Bruns passionately addresses the insecurity, exhilaration, let down and relief present not only in love, but in life.

With a silky, soothing voice and such fine-tuned acoustic ability after just two years of learning the guitar, your inner and outer monologue will beg the question: when will we hear more from this sassy soulster?

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