Heather Eatman. I'll just use an excerpt from a review that does a very good job of describing her music:
"(Mascara Falls - her debut album)...has the touch of a weathered, worldly storyteller. Her songs/stories have bright and dark sides which aren't necessarily evident until one really listens past her fairly bright and happy-sounding voice. If you like songwriters who can paint pictures and create a story that leaps into being (Tom Waits, Suzanne Vega, John Gorka, Christine Lavin, etc) then you shouldn't miss out on Heather Eatman."
To satisfy the audiophile in you, her music is also very well recorded/produced. I recommend starting with her debut described above. I have diverse taste in music ranging from Classical to IDM/electronica and Heather E. grips me every time. Great music for road trips through the rural mid-west, or simply being transported from the comfort of your listening room.