Who is she? Her real name is Shara Worden, a classically trained multi-instrumentalist from a gypsy-like family of musicians who settled in Brooklyn and melded her string-playing background with the New York scene's experimental rock.
Why the buzz? Worden became a part of indie-pop darling Sufjan Stevens' "Illinoise" cheerleading crew and has since released two albums for his label, Asthmatic Kitty: Her rock-oriented 2006 debut, "Bring the Workhorse," and this year's more classical-centric "A Thousand Shark's Teeth." She has also toured with the likes of the Decemberists, the National and DeVotchKa.
What do we think? "Shark's Teeth" lacks the bite of "Workhorse," but both show a unique talent. Her otherworldly, Kate Bush-meets-PJ Harvey voice is challenging but ultimately riveting, and her ambient string orchestration merits comparisons to Andrew Bird and Joanna Newsom (but is often heavier and darker than both). As was suggested by a pristine set in a church at last year's South by Southwest Music Conference, the best way to experience Worden is in person in an intimate, acoustically divine room -- just like the one she's playing here.
When's the gig? 7:30 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center. All ages. $15-$18. With Clare & the Reasons, another orchestral pop act led by the daughter of Cedar regular Geoff Muldaur.
