Oregon:

Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside

CITY: Oregon
SONG TO DOWNLOAD:

CITY: Portland
SONGS THAT GOT US: "Danger," "Not an Animal"
MYSPACE ADDRESS: myspace.com/sallieford
RECORD LABEL: Unsigned

WHY THEM? From her publicity photos, it would appear that Sallie Ford has no incipient narcotic or alcohol addiction. Even so, the gentlemen in the Sound Outside are advised to keep her far away from the liquor cabinet, since voices like these have historically gravitated towards perdition. Ford's voice is perfect — perfect tone, perfect pitch, perfect everything. There's a power and a sweetness behind it, a diffidence that indicates high levels of exposure to Billie Holiday, and a twang that belies Ford's upbringing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her band isn't bad, either — they swing politely and they know who's boss.

BONUS BIT! Ford wears the cutest cat's-eye glasses this side of Enid Coleslaw, and performs in outfits that look like an old lady's couch — in the best way possible.