Caroline Smith

In a town exploding with female solo talent (Dessa, Haley Bonar, Lucy Michelle, and more), Twin Cities' Caroline Smith manages to stand out. The folk-popper’s first tangible artifact is 2008’s stellar LP Backyard Tent Set, recorded with her band, The Good Night Sleeps. The album—from which the Detroit Lakes native is still getting traction—proved a resolute debut. While the Billie Holiday-channeling vocals and tactful every-girl lyricism shone, Smith’s pop sensibilities truly rose to the top. Not surprisingly, the sound caught on. The group has since enjoyed multiple national tours and heaps of lauding press. As for a follow-up, Smith recently blogged that the upcoming album, Little Wind, is complete and will hopefully be released in August. Any fans of early Rilo Kiley or offshoot The Elected will be instant Caroline Smith converts. 

Updated 09/22/2011