Organic, raw and relaxed

Growing up in Baton Rouge in the early 1990s, Kristin Diable had musical resources limited to local radio stations playing pop music and mainstream country. Listening to the folky soul and blues the 26-year-old songstress pipes out now, one would think Diable was bred exclusively on Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Raitt or any number of Delta blues legends.

“I didn’t know anything about the music I love and listen to now until I moved to New York,” Diable says. “I think that was part of growing up and maturing.”

Diable looks for inspiration in the roots of blues, jazz, country and soul. She believes in a spiritual and natural approach to songwriting, and it shows in her soulful, churning melodies and lyrics that reference everything from God and sorrowful love lost to fun in Southeast Louisiana, where she returned a few years ago.

“There’s a lot of soul in New Orleans,” Diable says. “Creatively it was important to be in a state that had that type of energy.”

Without wasting time, Diable jumped onto the Lagniappe stage for the 2010 Jazz Fest lineup to great reviews.

Since her return to Louisiana, Diable has gained notice in the New Orleans music scene, something she credits to the area’s abundance of high-profile music festivals, like Jazz Fest and the Voodoo Music Experience. In April she opened for Jonny Lang at the House of Blues.

“When you’re the opening act, you don’t know what to expect,” Diable says. “You really have to win people over. Standing in the front row of the House of Blues show was this group of big burly biker guys. They loved us. They wanted autographs after the show. They even took the set list.”

Diable is working on a third album for release later this year. The record will be “organic, raw and relaxed,” she says.

“My past recordings have been very production-centered and didn’t quite capture the energy of my live shows that I want to get across,” Diable says. “(My backing band and I) are going to just sit, play and record for a few days this time. Kind of like hanging out playing music. Something much more relaxed.”

This month, Kristin Diable performs in a similar manner when she pulls into Baton Rouge on Aug. 27 for an intimate show at 7:30 p.m. at Haven Gallery and Listening Room located at 651 Laurel Street. kristindiable.com