There are few true auteurs in pop music. The closest most so-called pop auteurs come to multi-tasking is mustering a balance between singer and songwriter. Southerly, the nom-de-tune of Krist Krueger is the product of a bona fide DIY visionary. Not only does Krueger sing, write and arrange the music of Southerly, he’s a seasoned recording engineer, record label manager and professional booking agent. He remains hands-on in all aspects of his music.

The Portland artist’s lush, orchestral pop is reminiscent of The National, Brendan Benson, Richard Ashcroft, Elliott Smith and former Tindersticks frontman Stuart Staples. Krueger recorded the second Southerly album, Storyteller and the Gossip Columnist, with his own full orchestra and horn arrangements. The arrangements flesh out the songs, which center on Krueger’s otherwise intimate singing style. Even in his solo performances, you can almost hear the sweeping and swooning violins, horns and backing vocals that surround Krueger’s every note….