Imagine what the hybrid child of a guitar-strumming Arab man and a singing Celtic woman would sound like, raised on classical music and her big brother's collection of metal, hip-hop and jazz. Add to this a strong element of female magic and groove, and you have the music of Vanessa Alia.

With highly rhythmic  electrified acoustic guitar and strong vocals with an Eastern influence, her lyrics don't beat around the bush when it comes to honesty and power. Appearances include Peats Ridge Festival and Knockengorrach, one of Scotland's largest annual underground folk festivals, with gigs in Sydney including The Kirk and The Metro. She is currently recording her second album.