DAWN LANDES

Where You've Heard Her You've likely encountered this 27-year-old's work...as a recording engineer. Landes' day job has paired her with musicians as diverse as Ryan Adams and Philip Glass.

For Fans of Woody Guthrie, Suzanne Vega, and Michelle Shocked. The Kentucky-bred New Yorker — whose U.S. debut, Fireproof, arrives March 4 — specializes in pretty, meandering numbers infused with a back-porch aesthetic and storytelling smarts. A live favorite? Landes' bluegrass riff on Peter Bjorn and John's ''Young Folks.''

Best Track ''Bodyguard'' (myspace.com/dawnlandes)