Neko (pronounced like Nico) Case certainly has the tresses to make it in Nashville. Her long luxurious auburn locks would need only a little coaxing and a lot of hair spray for a Loretta Lynn do.

She's got the voice, too -- a big, full-bodied yet tender instrument that insinuates itself into a song, teasing out its emotional dynamic and laying it on the listener like a thunderstorm.

But is she bound for Nashville? No way.