ANA Silvera is one of those artists who is very difficult to classify. Her songs blend folk, country and even classical elements and her lyrics paint pictures in listeners’ heads long after the song has ended.

“What I do is somewhere between singer songwriter and folk music and there seems to be a universal appeal to that sound,” said Ana, who will give music lovers the chance to judge for themselves when she appears at Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre tonight.

Much of her work has an almost cinematic appeal and reviews often praise her for being a storyteller.

“I come from a classical background so I can always hear that whole big picture of the arrangement in my head and I kind of write from that place,” she said.

“A big part of my background is poetry and storytelling - that’s my second love after music or maybe my joint first love.

“Perhaps that’s where the cinematic quality comes from.”

Last year Ana released her album, Oracles, which began life seven years earlier when she was commissioned to write a piece for herself and a choir at London’s Roundhouse.

The reaction to it as unanimously positive and it’s a reaction which has delighted the London-born singer.

“People have a very emotional reaction to it which to me is so special particularly as it is about grief,” she said.

“For people able to talk about their own personal experiences and find some kind of healing or resolution in it is one of the biggest privileges you can have as an artist.

“It’s always great when people have positive opinions but it’s really meaningful when they emotionally connect to it.”

As well as her solo work, Ana has been asked to compose for the Royal Ballet.

“That was a crazy, amazing experience to write something and and then have some of best dancers in world dance to it,” she said.

“Collaborations like that are always more challenging because you don;t have total control over what you are doing. You have to be prepared to compromise and listen to other people’s opinions and be prepared to be flexible.”

Ana is already working on a follow-up to Oracles and is planning to head into the studio next month.

“It is all written and we will be recording it after the current tour,” she said. “Given my track record it probably won’t come out til 2025 but the aim would be to release it next year.

“But I will be playing some of the songs from the new album at my live shows so people can get a sneak preview plus I’m also going to do a cover of Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting and one or two songs from Oracle and other material I’ve written.”

Ana Silvera, Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre, Thursday, March 21. Details from 01282 813374 or www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com