Alt-country songbird Kathleen Edwards may not have grown up anywhere near country music’s American mecca, but who says a Canadian girl can’t fall in love with pedal steel, Whiskeytown, and Dylan? So far, no one’s questioned the legitimacy of Edwards’ adopted all-American style; in fact, American media outlets from Rolling Stone to NPR have been gobbling up her sumptuous story-songs with gusto since her 2003 debut Failer. On her latest album, Asking for Flowers, Edwards invokes ’60s protest folk with politically driven songs like “Oil Man’s War” and “Oh Canada,” where getting the moral across is more important than the storytelling. But when she chooses to create a persona rather than take a position, the results—“Run” and “Alicia Ross” being good examples—feel infinitely more genuine. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, www.tractortavern.com. 21 and over.

$20–$23. 8:30 p.m. SARA BRICKNER

Tue., Nov. 18, 8:30 p.m., 2008