For every transcendental moment live music delivers, there are keenly felt disappointments. Like loving an album down to its last breath, then finding the lyrics inaudible at a gig – muddied by bad sound or over-loud strumming. It seems a churlish reason to feel deflated but who hasn’t felt it?

Being able to hear the words is especially important for the folk music of Melbourne’s Laura Jean – in Sydney as part of a national tour. Jean’s storytelling is honest and personal; insightful yet raw. On record her voice seems extraordinarily close, as though she’s sitting beside you. Since her 2006 début, Our Swan Song, Jean has released three albums and worked with musicians including Paul Kelly, Paddy Mann (Grand Salvo) and Gareth Liddiard (The Drones). Producer John Parish, of PJ Harvey fame, recorded last year’s wonderful self-titled release, which made the Australian Music Prize shortlist. Still, she is no household name.