Every few years, a knockout solo siren comes along. I’m talking within the vein of Carly Simon, Tori Amos, and Liz Phair. Sorry Britney, Christina, and Jessica -- I love ya, but you’re not the same. Miss Diane Birch, however, sits alongside the former group of ladies. Diane’s debut album, Bible Belt, came out last week to much acclaim. (Held through Sunday at #3 on iTunes' pop charts and #15 overall. I’m impressed!) Her voice is as soft as silk, yet oozes grand strength as though she’s been struck down to rise again like a phoenix. Only in her mid-20s, one would think the wisdom and honesty shared in her lyrics would stem from an older soul.

I had the chance to chat with Diane -- probably catching her right in the middle of celebrating -- over the weekend on Saturday afternoon. Immediately after hellos, Diane effused, “Sorry I missed your call earlier, but I was inside this bar in Brooklyn that’s really loud. Didn’t mean to make you wait!” No worries from my end, I just hope I wasn’t interrupting congratulatory drinks with friends.

Being this was the first time we ever spoke, I was struck by how open she was -- with me a total stranger -- about deep-rooted feelings and emotions. “I have moments of fear, I get depressed, I get sad. It’s OK to be vulnerable; it’s OK to feel horrible. It’s OK to just break away for awhile and crumple up into a ball.” Raw honesty to say the least. “That emotion is what I hope carries through in my music. I hope people hear that. The song ‘Fools” reflects the people that don’t think it’s OK to be that way.”

Diane's quite humble and grateful about her recent success. “I am really lucky and I just keep saying, 'Is this all real?' I can’t believe everything happening and that I've been given such an amazing platform to share my music.”

Well, I certainly think Miss Diane deserves her acclaim, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to speak with this very very very brave woman. Can’t wait to hear more! She's performing at Joe's Pub on June 29.