Charo Sofia

Most musicians can brag of an early childhood draw to music. But few were using their buckets to bang out rhythms to the Cure's "Just Like Heaven." Enter Charo Sofia, a 20-year-old singer/songwriter whose lyrical depth and vocal stylings belie her youth. Inspired by everyone from her chanteuse grandmother to the melodies of Jeff Buckley and lyrics of Elliott Smith, Charo Sofia is at once sentimental and sultry, earning her comparisons to Tracy Chapman, with a bit more edge.

A performer since age 15, Charo Sofia recently debuted her first album, Montreal, a six-track acoustic release that meanders from raw, rock-influenced numbers like "Perfect" to melancholic ballads like "Walking Away," the entire thing suffused with a hint of soul. What you won't find are any French-Canadian influences. "I've never been to Montreal!" laughs the singer, in reference to her title choice.

The Boston-based artist has performed at legendary music venues like Cambridge's Middle East, and she earned the necessary notch in any serious folk musician's belt with her appearance at Club Passim. Charo Sofia has also performed at the NEMO Music Festival, and at major universities around the state. She is currently at work on her second album.