Lindi Ortega plays the El Mocambo (464 Spadina Av) June 3.
Folky, country-and-western–flavoured local songwriters aren’t exactly uncommon in Toronto — I think “Dirty Old Town” must have been covered at bars around here more times than Shane MacGowan has sung it in his entire career — but Lindi Ortega sets herself apart from the herd. Her powerful, crystalline voice and strong songwriting skills prevent this new four-song EP from sounding too generic; “Black Fly” raunches up the formula with some Fleetwood Mac–style swing, and “Dying of Another Broken Heart” has a few couplets that wouldn’t shame Elvis Costello. Altogether, The Drifter might not be a perfect record, but it’s the perfect EP: a terrific teaser leaving you wanting more.