In 2008, Catherine Feeny drove 12,000 miles with her husband-to-be in a 1990 Mazda 323 called Swansong, playing more than 40 planned and impromptu shows in dens, living rooms and gardens all over the United States.

She had just been dropped by her London-based record label and the situation called for radical action. “It was a break-up,” says Feeny. “I felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach, but at the same time, like I’d been set free. That tour helped me reclaim myself.”

Settling in Portland, Feeny, who had a finished album in hand that she’d recorded in England, took time to build a life in her new hometown, and when she finally felt like she was home, she turned her attention toward her long-awaited third album, People in the Hole.

And it has been worth the wait – darkly poppy songwriting, evocative instrumentation and coolly brilliant vocals. It is a laid-back gem, confidently mixing folky acoustics with classic Americana and jazzy piano and is both absorbing and compelling from first note to last.

The limited-run pre-release edition of the album that was available from her web site has long since sold out, but as of June 25, the album will be widely available in digital formats (Itunes, Amiestreet) and on compact disc (order from CDbaby.com here).

Check out one of the album standouts below, the classic rolling, his and hers duo of Junk Queen, where the subject matter belies the jaunty, upbeat instrumentation.

Visit her website here. Visit her MySpace page here.

Download Catherine Feeny – Junk Queen mp3 (from People In The Hole)