in the music industry sense, and artists who are independent in mind, spirit and the sheer bloody-mindedness with which they've made something of themselves. Nell Bryden fits both descriptions, and has the stories to prove it. The journey from Nell Bryden's birthplace in Brooklyn to a career-redefining fifth album 'Wayfarer,' and a virtual residency on the BBC Radio 2 playlist has been long, rarely without incident, and often rather strange. The key thing, though, is that she made it, like a good wayfarer always does, and her songs are all the richer for it

• Singer - songwriter