Lindi Ortega brings her magic to the Voodoo Rooms

CANADIAN singer Lindi Ortega has been known on the Toronto indie scene for years, but it wasn’t until she performed backing vocals for The Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers on his 2010 solo tour that her distinctive sound reached UK audiences.

“His agent saw me play a showcase in LA and when Brandon was looking for a backing singer I was called,” says the 32-year-old, whose vocal style has been compared to Dolly Parton.

“I figured I’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity to travel and learn and make a bit of much-needed money.”

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The highlight was singing live on Later... With Jools Holland. “I’m such a huge fan of that show, it’s so unique and always has the greatest artists, she says. “Grinderman was playing the show we did and it was so cool to be directly across from Nick Cave during the entire taping of the segment.

Since then, she’s toured here as a solo artist with Keane and Noah And The Whale, and she can’t wait to return to these shores for her headline appearance at The Voodoo Rooms tomorrow night.

“I love the UK,” she states enthusiastically. “Firstly for Primark, it’s my favourite store ever. But I also just like the people, and all the venues I’ve played there have been really cool.

“I also dig the atmosphere. I get excited every time I get to visit the UK,” she adds.

Ortega released her country-tinged UK debut, Little Red Boots, in October, and she was blown away by the response to the album.

“The first day it was out it reached number 27 on the HMV charts and that blew my mind,” she says. “The response has been really great.

“I played some fantastic shows and planted some seeds, and I hope to make things grow a bit more when I return.”

Lindi Ortega, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street, tomorrow, 7.30pm, £8, 0131-556 7060

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