Having walked on the wild side of life as a getaway driver, Awna Teixeira found salvation in music when she joined west coast street singer The Derby back in 2001.

She learned to play the gutbucket bass, and 'toured' throughout Canada playing bars, pubs and streets. A year later some of the group formed The Red Eye Rounders - an alt country outfit which in turn led to the formation of Barley Milk and two full length albums.

But Awna Teixeira is best known as one quarter of Canadian 'urban roots' band Po' Girl.

Taking a sabbatical from the band, Where The Darkness Goes is her debut solo album recorded through March/April 2012 in Chicago.

Playing banjo, acoustic and electric guitars, accordion, Rhodes organ, ukulele, and glockenspiel, taking all the writing credits and vocals, it's a sparse, plaintive and captivating set with her vocals having the delicate warble of a young Stevie Nicks or Dolly Parton.

There's some lovely playing throughout with the material being predominantly alt country based and in tracks like Stargazer, and The Little Review, a fragile quality that has the potential for wider appeal.

A quality release that will compliment the Po' Girl catalogue, and one that should have purists purring with delight.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley