Orchestras, chamber quartets, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven made up her working life.

Then she came to Sydney to pursue a career in a somewhat different style of music, one she describes as "distinctly edgy cocktail music''.

It is an original mixture of jazz/funk/blues for the annoyed, the bitter, and the broken-hearted, for the dramatic drama queens who want to throw back dry martinis to feed their angst.

Larsen makes this music in her home studio at Carlton, largely on her own using a variety of keyboards, bass guitar, sythesizers and pre-recorded drum loops.

Thanks to the magic of the internet, Larsen has many fans in the US and Europe and thanks to a couple of free downloads on her website there are at least 10,000 iPods out there with her songs in the mix.

Her latest single Could You Be The One I've Been Looking For? is now available through Martian Music, an MP3 download site which ensures Larsen's music is sold by an Australian company and which benefits other Australian artists and music lovers. An album will be released soon.

"Could You Be The One ...? captures the moments of a new romance, and the quietly scary realisation it could be the real thing,'' Larsen said.

"It is a song of hope wrapped up in a delightful jazzy pop waltz.

"After all, who doesn't feel like dancing when you're falling in love?''

However, a musician needs an audience, and Larsen has been known to bring out the cello to accompany her singing.

A gig at The Basement last year led to her supporting international violinist Sophie Serafino.

She is also forming a band and is on the lookout for like-minded musicians.

In the meantime Larsen supports her original music career with Larsen Music, specialising in providing elegant string music, including solo cello, cello and harp duo, string quartets and other musical ensembles for weddings and functions.

Larsen Music musicians have performed with or supported Placido Domingo, Opera Australia, Sting and Goldfrapp.

"I love a wedding. I'm a big softie and quite often have difficulty stopping the tears welling in my eyes, which makes reading music a challenge,'' Larsen said.

"Thankfully I know most of my Bach, Mozart and Beethoven parts by heart.''

For more information see www.martianmusic.com.au; www.anne-liselarsen.com; and www.larsenmusic.com.au