An acoustic guitar, a cello and a couple of chairs sit waiting on the stage. A simple set up for an intimate gig from American guitarist and singer Kristin Hersh. The former Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave singer takes to the stage of the Florence Park Community Centre with a smile.

Hersh fingerpicks and strums her acoustic guitar as she sings songs from her prolific career. She is accompanied on stage by British cellist Pete Harvey, or Cello Pete, as she introduces him. The pair take turns to choose what to play next. With 12 studio albums as a solo performer behind her, as well as her work with two alternative rock bands, there’s plenty to choose from. As a performer, Hersh seems to enjoy having Cello Pete up there on stage with her. There’s a nice back and forth between the two of them as they each consider where the evening of music will go.

During a moment of song choice indecision, a couple of audience members put in requests for their favourite songs. Hersh appears touched that they know her songs so well, but admits to being a little out of practice at performing her entire back catalogue so they stick to the list on Cello Pete’s iPad.

“Too many sad songs,” comments Hersh at one point. It’s true, the set includes some highly emotional pieces. Lyrically, Hersch’s songs detail personal stories, which often stray into areas such as mental illness and despair. Her voice shifts between toughness and vulnerability. While sometimes singing soft and beautiful melodies, her vocal sound often has a raspy or harsh quality. At times, she seems to be screaming with impassioned rage.

Before the interval, Hersch takes a break from singing and pulls out a copy of her memoir to read (“Bet you didn’t expect that,” she laughs, before sharing a story involving an ostrich farm). Her prose writing contains the same eye for unusual details that can be found in her song lyrics.

The second part of her set begins with songs from her 2023 album Clear Pond Road. As well as the title track, she shares 'Dandelion', 'Ms Haha', 'Bewitched Reruns' and 'Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire'. (“Longest song title ever,” jokes Hersch. “Named after a physics paper – like I’m not nerdy enough.”) Most unusual song topic award should go to 'Bywater', which Hersh explains is a song about Freddie Mercury as a goldfish in a toilet bowl. Other highlights include 'Your Ghost' (an early solo track, the original recording of which featured backing vocals by R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe).

After a second book reading (a New Orleans ghost story), the pair of musicians leave the stage momentarily, only for Hersh to return alone to perform an encore. Her final song is 'Gazebo Tree', from her Strange Angels album. It’s a powerful ending to an evening of captivating music.