NIGEL Burnham has seen the future of alternative folk-pop, in Middlesbrough actually, and its name is Jesca Hoop, former nanny to Tom Waits’s children in California.

“Ms Hoop admits to liking Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush and Bjork, and in her bewitching, crystalline-pure vocal you can also hear the melodramatic popular song of Judy Garland and Edith Piaf, but the sheer, unbridled invention of her songs prompts the description I like best: Jesca Hoop, the Lady Gaga of freak folk,” says Nigel, who has booked her for The Band Room at Low Mill, Kirkbymoorside, tomorrow night.

Jesca stands out from the crowd, not only with her shock of hair, but her decision to travel in the opposite direction from the norm. She has swapped California sunshine for Manchester rain.

“I met a load of people that influenced me to move here,” the American singer-songwriter explains. “I was the support act to Elbow, so they kind of kidnapped me. That was a year ago come May 13.”

Yes, but why pick Manchester, the city with so much to answer for, as Morrissey once wailed? “I love the location. I live in the outskirts with a beautiful water park behind my house, and I’m close to European countries – I’ve just played in France.”

She had been due to return to France for more shows until the volcanic ash cloud wrought its havoc. “But I was happy to stay at home; I’ve been writing some new songs, and I’m thinking of playing one at The Band Room,” she says.

“It hasn’t got a title yet, but I’m thinking about Lysistrata. It’s based on Aristophanes’ story of Lysistrata, though I’ve modernised it as the story was a bit cumbersome. The translation had the word ‘wonky’ in it and I’m not sure Aristophanes would have used that word.”

Jesca’s songs defy easy pigeon-holing.

“They walk a fine line between being ballads and doing something else,” she says. “My songs have melody and a ballad element to them, but they’re not always melancholy or sweet like a ballad.”

While she does tend to write from the heart, that is not always true. “Sometimes a song will reflect how I feel at the time. If you end up playing one style, it’s too restrictive,” she says.

“I don’t know where I fit in, and that has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that you can be called upon for something unique, but the disadvantage is that people tend to rely on what’s familiar to them.

“There’s an enormous number of people that want a custom act, but it’s more rewarding to be on the fringe, and that’s the only way for me to go.”

Hence goodbye California, hello Manchester.

• Jesca Hoop plays The Band Room, Low Mill, Kirkbymoorside, tomorrow, 7.30pm; sold out. Jesca’s new single, Whispering Light, was released this week.