Miss Alaska from Hamburg, Germany impressively sings and plays all the instruments in her January-released EP 100 Names for Snow. Although influenced by as wide-ranging artists as Velvet Underground, Regina Spektor, the Notwist, and Sigur Rös, she has forged her own sound, employing electronica along with gorgeous violin to accompany her ethereal vocals.

This is a lady who believes a song should give you goosebumps, and “Lay Your Love On You” is an excellent example. “It’s just a repetition”, she downplays in spoken word; yes, but it’s a repetition as mesmerizing as a hypnotist’s swinging watch.

For a treat, listen to her delightful Smiths’ cover retitled “Boyfriend In a Coma” on her MySpace page. Although that song is not on her EP, six, including “Lay Your Love,” are available for free download at Komakino (link below). She promises another EP this year, and I will be happily waiting.

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