A SONGWRITER with a knack for moving between genres is to play in Lancaster this month.

Jesca Hoop will play at The Hall on July 20, as part of a busy month for local music and education charity More Music.

Jesca Hoop is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who writes and performs in diverse musical styles.

She has released five studio albums of her own, as well as live, acoustic and dual albums with others.

Her latest album ‘Memories Are Now’ wastes no time in making clear its confidence, confrontation, and craftsmanship.

The stark and reverberant title track opens the set with ‘a fighting spirit’ says Hoop, serving as an anthem to push through any obstacle.

‘Memories are Now’ is an album of stunningly original songs, minimalist yet brimming with energy, emerging from a wealth of life experience, great emotional depth, and years of honing the craft of singing.

It covers a great deal of ground, showcasing every edge and curve of Hoop’s captivating voice, with sounds and themes ranging from the mythic to the deeply intimate.

After developing her career in Los Angeles under the wing of the legendary Tom Waits, Jesca Hoop moved to Manchester in 2008.

Since then, she has performed alongside the likes of Elbow, Willy Nelson and Stewart Copeland.

She also released an album of duets with fellow American songwriter Iron and Wine.

Jesca Hoop will be supported by singer-songwriter Chloe Foy.

Tickets cost £13 in advance and are available from www.moremusic.org.uk/jh or by calling More Music on 01524 831997.

Later on in the month, More Music will also be hosting a workshop which encourages participants to get together and enjoy musical performance.

With One Voice is a fun and energizing workshop exploring songs of empowerment, led by their newly appointed Artistic Director, Loz Kaye.

Inspired by the ballad Bread and Roses this is music to gladden the heart and feed the soul.

You will learn and share a varied mix of repertoire, play with ways to release vocal strength and explore how to connect deeply to meaning in text.

Loz Kaye has worked widely with vocalists, theatre music and community choirs. Recently he has choir led at the Various Voices Festival in Munich and the Manchester Together memorial concert.

More Music is a music and education charity based at the Hothouse in Morecambe, with 21 years’ experience of delivering workshops and events.