St. Vincent no delicate angel

With her fair skin, dark, curly hair and fine features, art-pop waif Annie Clarke looks as fragile as a porcelain figurine

But make no mistake, this Brooklyn-based singer can attack a guitar with the same ferocity as a rocker twice her size

“Sometimes the spirit of the music overtakes me and I’m aggressive and hitting pedals,” says Clarke, who has played with psychedelic choral-pop group The Polyphonic Spree and mind-bending folkie Sufjan Stevens — and now fronts her own project, St. Vincent

“I’ve destroyed a couple of guitars in my day. I’ve kind of had to stop doing it because the guitar I play now I really love and I really don’t want anything bad to happen to it

“But sometimes I’ve gotten so overwhelmed or even frustrated at a show that I kind of just destroyed a guitar

“Now it’s good aggression and good excitement.”

The multi-instrumentalist received glowing reviews for her 2009 sophomore CD, Actor, which blends indie pop, jazz and sweeping film scores with literary inspired lyrics

Clarke’s flair for the quirky and dramatic has won over many music lovers and attracted some famous fans, including Beck and former Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne

Earlier this year, Clarke participated in one of Beck’s Record Club collaborations and recorded versions of INXS’ Guns in the Sky and Need You Tonight with members of Os Mutantes and Liars. She has also been ‘trading songs’ with Byrne recently, although no firm project has been announced

“It’s strange to be on a first-name basis with David Byrne,” she says

“But he’s such an approachable, warm guy and such an inspiration to so many people. He doesn’t make it feel intimidating. I’m a big Beck fan as well and while I was definitely nervous, he made that situation so easy and hospitable. He was the quiet ring leader.”

Raised in Dallas, the 27-year-old performer’s introduction to the music business was through her uncle, Tuck Andress, one-half of jazz act Tuck & Patti

As a teenager, Clarke was the duo’s tour manager, though she admits it was more of a glorified roadie position. Need more information regarding porcelain veneers?

“I brought them towels and water and fresh flowers and helped carry things,” she recalls. “It was a good introduction. Some people are homebodies, but I’ve never been a homebody, so it was crazy exciting for me to be travelling. It doesn’t matter where you’re travelling, it’s just the act of moving. It feels exhilarating.” St. Vincent plays the Calgary Folk Music Festival on Sunday