A self-styled punk folk singer who can appeal to mature folkies as well as climbing up college radio charts, Ani DiFranco is a 10-year overnight success story. From Buffalo, New York, DiFranco virtually pioneered the folk singer independent route to commercial and critical acclaim. Steadfastly refusing deals from minor and major record labels alike, she started her own record company, Righteous Babe Records, selling her albums at gigs and via the Internet. Artistically and financially self-sufficient, Ani DiFranco plays a form of shouty folk music that has clearly inspired the likes of Alanis Morissette and her ilk. The difference is that Ani DiFranco appears to walk it like she talks it. She plays Dublin's Olympia Theatre on December 7th.
