If STEPHANIE DOSEN is away with the fairies, RICHARD MACFARLANE would like to find out how to go there too and see how they make such terrific music.

There are a lot of ‘singer-songwriters’ in the world, especially those of the female variety. It’s wonderful how many different sorts of expression can arise when you just sit down and do it, particularly when they’re as beautiful and redolent as Stephanie Dosen’s efforts. Out of the myriad of those putting guitar and vocal based music out there, it’s rare that a collection of songs like those found on her debut, A Lily For The Spectre. It all started out with Stephanie hiding away making songs on the farm where she grew up in Wisconsin.

“I always found in my personality the tendency to go hide away somewhere. Maybe all little girls do that, but I think I carried the idea with me, the idea of not wanting to go to work and do ’normal’ things that normal people are doing, I would prefer just to stay home and make up a little story or song.”

Hers is a methodical approach. A sense of great detail and care are obvious in hearing her recordings. She’s now also joined by Simon Ramonde of The Cocteau Twins, who adds bass and filigree sounds to the record and live show. It’s fleshed out further with piano (which sometimes she plays herself live, and at others it’s played by another friend of hers). Piano is certainly less portable and less easy to hide away with than her guitar

“I didn’t have a broad vision first, but the more I took time and the more I worked with it I found a larger idea of what I really wanted to do. I think the idea of taking the approach of a gardener suits the way I make music, as opposed to say, a construction worker. I like to let it grow naturally rather than scoping it and planning it out. I find that the more I take time with it, the more it can bloom can be more fully realized.”

Stylistically her folk has leanings towards indie-pop, but regardless of the genre, you can tell that this is coming directly from her heart. As cheesy as that sounds, a little sincerity goes a long way, and it’s especially good when the worlds that are shared are as magical as these. Talking to Stephanie, it’s clear that it’s always a special and magical process for her, too.

“If it makes me feel something better or more than what I was feeling before then this art is doing its job. I think art should change you in some way. I’m more drawn to art of this sort at least. Regardless of what level it affects you on, it should change something about what you thought or felt before.”

This will be her first trip to Australia , playing shows with Holly Throsby in support of this new record. She’ll be a treat – as an extremely affable and delightful performer and person, she’s always optimistic.

“After touring this record for a bit, I’m keen to just try and let something happen. I’m not sure what’s down the trail next, but I’m excited for what can be in store.”

Stephanie Dosen supports Holly Throsby at the Globe on Thursday September 20. A Lily For The Spectre Out Now on Bella Union/V2.

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