Intro4u2u

Marie Digby has been called the girl next door with a guitar. Most of her fans also know that she has a computer.

Unsure of what was happening with her record-label relationship, Digby broke onto the national stage in 2007 using YouTube, where she posted homemade videos of herself covering major pop hits by Rihanna, Britney Spears and even Linkin Park. To date, her YouTube videos, largely made in her parents’ living room, have generated more than 22 million views.

“Yeah, and sometimes they were in my bathroom,” she says.

Her debut album, Unfold, hit shelves last month, and it’s filled with original pop songs built around Digby’s guitar riffs. She spoke with Scott Simon about the unfolding of Unfold — starting with her do-it-yourself acoustic covers.

“It just has to have a great melody,” she says. “Doesn’t matter what genre it is — it could be opera, it could be rap, it could be country. Whatever it is, as long as it has a beautiful melody, I can break it down on guitar and make it sound good.”

Marie Digby had a surprise Internet hit with her acoustic rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” which broke through on YouTube. In April the California native delivered a winning debut record, “Unfold,” which showcased her literate, well-crafted tunes and a lovely, winsome voice. It’s indeed folky pop for the Starbucks set, but without the insipid obviousness that often mars the genre.

Her recent performance at L.A.’s famed Troubadour club proved that she’s a skillful and playful performer. She can cover everyone from Britney Spears to Linkin Park, and she still does Rihanna proud as she moves from piano to guitar with her band. Definitely a star on the rise, she’ll appear Thursday at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St., Boston.

MARIE Digby (pic) is one of those new emerging stars that you just can’t afford to ignore. Marie (apparently pronounce Ma-ree-AY)’s acoustic version of Rihanna’s Umbrella shot her to You-Tube fame. Her YouTube channel has collectively been viewed more than 12 million times! And since then there’s been no stopping her.

The pretty young thing – of Japanese and Irish American parentage – is now in town to promote her debut album and meet her fans! Head on down to the Marié Digby Acoustic Showcase today at 8pm at the Ground Floor Highstreet, 1 Utama New Wing, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, And don’t forget to get an autograph at the Gap outlet at 9pm. Best of all, admission is free!