Joni Mitchell on a flying unicorn

The eccentric British singer Beth Jeans Houghton is attracting attention lately with her colourful debut Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose – and her boyfriend, Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis. Houghton grew up in the northern English city Newcastle upon Tyne, where she played her mother’s copy of Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell until it broke. These days, though, the 22-year-old singer is bound for LA, where she wants to soak up the sun and enjoy the atmosphere of the famous hippy commune Laurel Canyon – she has already met Neil Young, who even gave her a ride in his Cadillac to tell her his ideas on the future of digital music players. The sound this delicate young blond invents with her Hooves of Destiny has evolved considerably. Three years ago, she was still a total folkie, following in the footsteps of Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons when she recorded the EP Hot Toast Volume One.

Now she goes straight for full-blooded pop with fairy-tale lyrics. It’s got thump, it is hyper-kinetic, tempestuous, and especially, highly creative. From cabaret pop to African guitar motifs, to chamber folk and the punky mystery track, the style crossovers come thick and fast. All topped off with her beautiful, versatile falsetto. If you want to see “Joni Mitchell on a flying unicorn in the sky with diamonds”, rush to the Botanique.

Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny 30/3, 20.00, €7/10/13,
BOTANIQUE, Koningsstraat 236 rue Royale, Sint-Joost-ten-Node/Saint-Josse-ten-Noode,
02-218.37.32, www.botanique.be