Kassi Valazza (USA)

Though compared to prominent singers such as Karen Dalton, Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny, she is totally herself, with a voice that touches hearts. Kassi Valazza grew up in Arizona, but moved to Portland, Oregon, where her deep country roots met a vibrant, diverse music environment. In her 2019 debut recording Dear Dead Days, her soulful country songs with their psychedelic undertones saw the light of day. This style continued on the EP Highway Sounds from 2022 and the album Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing from 2023. The latter took second place on Americana UK's list of best releases and also figured on a similar listing at the English magazine Uncut. The critics liked it too, and the magazine No Depression wrote: "Valazza’s songs, like smooth-edged gemstones, have a healing quality to them." The album is released on Fluff & Gravy Records, which is also Tønder Festival favourite Margo Cilker's label. Kassi Valazza tours a lot in USA and visited Europe in 2023. Her only Danish festival in 2024.