Anja McCloskey on her first solo tour of America
Southampton accordionist and singer-songwriter Anja McCloskey has set off on her first US tour.
The half-American, half-German has gone back to her roots for the nine date tour, having spent her teenage years in Missouri.
She said: "It is definitely the revisiting of a place that has had a big influence on the subject matter of my songs."
Anja is joined by three south coast musicians for the eight-state tour.
Guitarists Andy Harris Haunted Stereo and David Miatt who play with Haunted Stereo and Thomas Tantrum, as well as violinist Mikey Kenney who regularly appears with Ottersgear.
The band's first show was a Valentine's Day gig in Minneapolis at the Kitty Cat Club.
She said: "The audience over here is really attentive and it has been an absolute pleasure so far."
Multi-instrumentalist Anja, who also plays the piano and clarinet was inspired by her accordion-playing German grandfather at the age of five.
She said: "I quickly realised when I moved to the UK that there aren't that many accordion players around. I really enjoy the instrument. I think it has great texture and it is very dynamic."
Before going solo, Anja had already gained a raft of touring experience, playing as part of a of ten-piece performance orchestra, The Irrepressibles and folk-rock trailblazers, Haunted Stereo.
Her first solo EP "Turn Turn Turn" was recently released on Sotones.