When I saw that Paolo Nutini was coming to Houston’s Warehouse Live, I made up my mind on the spot that I was Soooo There! It wasn’t until the day of the show that I decided to Google his opening act: Anya Marina. Her name was a complete unknown to me.

It was immediately apparent after chasing a few links that this girl’s star is on the rise. On the outside, she appears to be a charming, blonde Californian waif, with a hint of the exotic from her Russian heritage. Early 30s, perhaps? Her vocal style has been compared to such artists as Feist, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tegan and Sara, Sia, and Macy Gray. So in other words, it’s quirky, scratchy, and a little kewpie-esque. Luckily, her sophisticated lyrics and themes keep her from being cloyingly cute. Oh, and then there’s her stage banter, which can go from wry to naughty, depending on the crowd.

Anya was having a successful career as a radio DJ in San Diego, while casually writing songs and performing at open mic nights on the side. Finally, she gave in to the call to become a full-time musician. Marina released her first album, Miss Halfway, in 2005. The record is full of well-crafted acoustic pop gems, but ultimately a little sleepy for my tastes. Still, fans of ’90s female artists like Liz Phair, Veruca Salt, and Juliana Hatfield will probably find something to connect with in Anya’s music. Like these women, Anya uses gritty language and dark humor as she spins introspective tales about herself and her relationships with men.

Anya got her big break when the title track of Miss Halfway was featured on Grey’s Anatomy, and included on the 2006 TV soundtrack.

In 2009, she released her sophomore effort, Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II. This album has much more energy and individuality than the first, which is due in part to being partially produced (and with beats supplied by) Britt Daniel, of Austin, TX indie band, Spoon, fame. (Sample Drop Dead Blues for a taste)

It is obvious that the material inspired her to infuse her vocal delivery with a little more soul. There is also a nice helping of Brazilian flavor in some of the tracks (including a cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Waters of March,” which she sings in both English and Portuguese as originally written). Now she’s touring with successful guys like Chris Isaak, Eric Hutchinson, Jason Mraz, and of course, Paolo.

Last Saturday night, Anya took the stage with only her guitar and her iPod Nano. She held up the electronic device and thanked her “drummer” for being with her on tour. She also apologized for the fact that he was a little small, “Mano-rexic.” LOL. Highlights from the set:

• Vertigo (One of my favorites from her soph. album, sooo catchy!)
• Not A Through Street (Introduced with a story about her mother and “missing someone”)
• Move You
• Whatever You Like (T.I. Cover)
• All the Same to Me

Overall, she put on an entertaining show. The mixed crowd wasn’t completely into her, but she did her best to win us over. She invited us to whistle along, taught us to say “I Love You” in Russian, and informed us that rainbows come from “unicorn pee.” This was news to me.

My impression is that she’s like a stripped down Gwen Stefani: All of the Moxie, but less focus on the Makeup and Materialism and more on Music and the Mind.In summary: I like her. I think you should give her a try.

PS… She also has the Gift of Gab. If no one will interview you, just interview your own damn self… LOL