A fairy tale? Fairy tale music, in any case! Mai Lev is an Israeli revelation with a first CD on a Belgian label. 'Birthday' will indeed be released here by the alert 'Off-Stilll' stable (via Pias). Don't ask us why the CD is called 'Birthday' but if its like this then every day should be a birthday: sparkling, tingly songs and potential little hits like 'Give', 'Better', 'Mr. Wrong' and, that's right: 'Birthday'... Just go on and head over to myspace for a few tasters!? In the meantime, those who search a little further will notice that Mai Lev grew up on Debussy, Ravel, Björk, The Beatles, Bach, Philip Glass, Nirvana, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Pink Floyd... At the age of 14 she had her own little punk band, after that she went more for classical music, or more electronic - with The Sweep... Now, finally, whole-heartedly solo as Mai Lev. Even the great, and completely mad, Van Dyke Parks - certainly known for his work with The Beach Boys - is apparently already a big fan of her 'pop/opera arias' now too. Yes!

Extra opener on the evening will be the rather phenomenal Asaf Avidan. Practise the name a little as it sounds like it’s worth remembering. By the way, it’s Asaf Avidan & The Mojo's in full, with a keen sound à la Led Zeppelin III. Or for the inquisitive uninitiated: solidly located between rock & folk, with a voice between Robert Plant and Janis Joplin, between exceptional and intense. The Reckoning is to be the debut CD (on the Columbia label?). But their myspace link is already a real revelation.