Steve Hefter isn’t one of those songwriters who pops out of nowhere as a next big thing. The accolades are the result of dues paid. Hefter has been churning out a steady stream of his brand of memorable, musical heartache since the late ’90s.

Currently based in Portland, but originally from Baltimore Hefter’s collaborative efforts with Baltimore luminaries such as Chris Freeland (Oxes, Frenemies), Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), and Jason Dove followed his first album release, Twist and Hold ‘Til Morning, in 2007.

Prior to that album, Hefter developed his lyrically-driven folk sensibilities and melodic indie-rock textures with Judd Bolger (Judd and Maggie) and Billy Gordon (J. Roddy Walston and The Business) in the bands Sons of Buford and Challenge Club respectively.

The west coast beckoned Hefter in 2009, and now in 2011, under the name St. Even, Spirit Animal is set to show the rest of the country what some already know. Spirit Animal was recorded with Jake Kelly (Kimya Dawson) at Materials To Outlet Studios in Portland, Oregon with an immensely talented smattering of old and new friends in tow.

Spirit Animal is available now.