Sarah Jaffe at the Ghost Room, 1/21/11

There are some artists in this world who possess voices that speak to you immediately and viscerally; these are the voices that make your ears perk up upon first listen, but then dive deeper into a part of you that is normally quiet, private and clutching. Sarah Jaffe is one of these artists. Not only does her literal voice grab you (it is the textbook definition of honeyed), but also the voice of her words — the raw, honest place her songs are coming from — hit at that tender spot that make you melt. This is why you should be at the Ghost Room Friday evening.

Jaffe is a master of songwriting. The melodies are varied and interesting, her lyrics range from tongue-in-cheek to heart-on-sleeve, and the entire package will roll over you like a freight train, but leave you feeling completely satisfied for it. Live, Jaffe is lovable and skilled. Her on-stage banter is self-deprecating and personal, and her guitar licks are trance-inducing. She had a huge year in 2010, releasing her first full-length album, Suburban Nature, on Kirtland Records, touring with artists like Midlake and Norah Jones, and making all kinds of Best-of lists, including ranking third on Paste’s 10 best new artists of 2010. Most exciting of all, she’s a Texan! Jaffe lives in Denton, and grew up in a tiny town outside of Dallas. Support Texas music and have your mind blown, all for the price of $10. See you there.