In less than two weeks, The Noise Pop Festival will begin in San Francisco, and next month the famous South by Southwest Festival will kick-off in Austin.

Today, the spotlight turns to the amazingly gifted musician and Oregon native Laura Gibson, who is performing at both Noise Pop and SXSW. She first got noticed on a large scale with the 2006 debut album If You Come to Greet Me. Gibson followed up with the well received Six White Horses in 2008.

On February 24, Hush Records (The Decemberists' first label before they "crossed-over") will release Gibson's newest album Beasts of Seasons.

"Spirited" from Beasts of Seasons - Pre-order at Hush Records

Gibson's music is folksy, flowing, soothing and marked by her distinctively soft yet determined vocals. Her music has a majesty all of its own and the potential for a broader appeal than she currently enjoys (that can be good and bad).

Her music scales the confides of the common folk classification bestowed on her, displaying a creative knack to weave in elements of country, rock and pop. There are even elements of Spanish guitar such as in the song "Sweet Deception".

Listen to a full stream of Beasts of Seasons via NPR Music until February 24.

Gibson displays excellent craftsmanship with musical and lyrical progression, sophistication and range, as evidenced by songs like "Nightwatch" that drift like a raft on a quiet summer lake to tracks full of marching drives and orchestrated lifts found on songs like "Spirited".

Gibson will headline the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Feb. 26 and play from March 18 to March 24 at SXSW. Check out Laura Gibson's MySpace page to get all her touring and performance information, listen to songs and more.

Related:
Listen or download a DayTrotter Sessions of Laura Gibson from 2007 featuring songs from If You Come to Greet Me.

Read about, and listen to San Francisco Noise Pop Festival Artist Showcase: Telekinesis

Labels: Laura Gibson, New Releases, Noise Pop Festival 2009, Singers and Songwriters, South by Southwest