Heather Maloney at the Freakfest

Fooling us into thinking she was a substitute act named Amélie, Heather Maloney came out in a black page boy wig and long red dress, accompanied by a little ceramic gnome that sat on a stool beside her. She seemed at home on the stage, comfortable in her own skin, precise and practiced on the guitar and possessed a voice that couldn't be pigeon-holed. I wondered how to classify her genre -- because even though she reflected similarities to other modern female singers of her generation, she had the pipes and creativity to exceed them. Her warmth and stage presence was endearing. She had so much confidence and power as well as what sounded to me like perfect pitch, that I wanted her to meet Moira Smiley from VOCO and try some world music. I think she would exceed at it. Her voice went to some astounding places and her songs were full of youth and heart and charm. I thought of Audrey Hepburn when I looked at her. Or Amélie, come to think of it.