SINGER-songwriter Natasha Khan is as quirky and sensitive as her music under the stage name, Bat for Lashes. Within five minutes of answering her phone, she is carefully explaining to me the differences between a cape and a cloak.

“A cape comes all the way around your body. Whereas a cloak is something that goes off the back of your shoulders like Superman or a vampire,” explains Natasha.

Twice nominated for the Mercury Music Award, she narrowly missed out this year to female rapper Speech Debelle. But this hasn’t stopped her second album, Two Suns, receiving widespread media attention and a loyal fan base. With Johnny Depp being the latest in a long line of high profile fans proclaiming Two Suns to be a “masterpiece” when interviewed on Radio 1 recently. Added to that, Coldplay asked Natasha to join them for two dates in Europe.

“The audiences are lovely. They come dressed up in glitter and costumes and leave me presents. I got left these beautiful handmade gifts on stage recently.” says Khan, 29.

Bat for Lashes is set to delight audiences at the 02 Academy, Bournemouth this Thursday with her magical live show. In conversation, Natasha comes across as very modest and charmingly enquires about the venue formerly known as the Opera House.

“Is it big? Oh good. I’m excited about the acoustics of a smaller venue and the prospect of an intimate evening. That’s a nice way to get warmed up for the tour, especially as it’s the first date.”

Earlier this month Bat For Lashes performed to a capacity crowd at the Bestival music festival on the Isle of Wight.

“It was crazy that show. Did we sound all right to you? I was quite overwhelmed.”

“The festival had a space fancy dress theme. I had a silver cloak on and a jump-suit and we painted our faces blue. It was good fun to dress up.”

As a musician she sings and plays the piano, guitar, harpsichord and the autoharp. Although Natasha’s unique dress sense and bohemian image plays an integral role.

“I think it’s important to make the effort and create a spectacle. I like the visual side of things and this tour has a theme of night, hurricanes and weather.”

“I’ve worked with my favourite dressmaking lady to make some costumes. Nothing overly mental because I wanted to be comfortable, but it is important to don some interesting things.”

With her second Mercury nomination this year and the massive airplay of hit singles, Daniel and Pearl’s Dream, Natasha is rapidly becoming the poster girl of alternative rock.

“I occasionally get recognised, but because I live in Brighton everyone’s quite used to me. I’ve lived there for 10 years, so people aren’t surprised that I’m there. Sometimes people come up to me and say they love the music. It doesn’t really bother me and I feel I have quite a normal life outside of the music industry. I like it that way.”

Bat For Lashes, the 02 Academy, Bournemouth, Thursday.