Soak up the sun and the sumptuous voice of Seattle singer-songwriter Shelby Earl at a free, all-ages concert 12 to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 19, on Seattle City Hall’s outdoor plaza, 600 Fourth Ave.

The show is part of Seattle Presents, a free, lunchtime summer concert series. Go here for the complete lineup.

Earl’s debut Burn the Boats was named “#1 Outstanding 2011 Album You Might Have Missed” by Amazon.com. Earl is often compared to alt-country crooner Neko Case, but music critic Ann Powers says, “… if Neko is bourbon, Shelby is honey wine. Sweeter at first taste, her music is subtly intoxicating.”

“Burning the boats” to make her debut record, Earl quit her nine-to-five job to jump into her musical career.  Her indie-folk-rock songs are filled with recurrent themes of reclaiming lost loves, reaching for the unattainable, and waking up to one’s own life after a long slumber. Earl has been well received by a broad audience, gaining popularity both in Seattle and nationally. Award-winning broadcaster and critic Jedd Beaudoin for PopMatters writes that Earl, “transcends trends and musical boundaries,” … [and] is a fine example of a singer-songwriter who has honed her craft to a fine point and whose songs are both touching and inspiring.”

Seattle Present concerts are in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, Metropolitan Improvement District and Triamp Group.