Nellie McKay is an interesting and distinctive pianist/singer whose who seems equally happy writing her own songs or issuing album-length collections of interpretative work.

In the context of the latter, she's released "My Weekly Reader," an affectionate and whimsical batch of '60s tunes (ranging from the Beatles and Kinks to Zappa and Gerry & the Pacemakers), and a Doris Day tribute called "Normal as Blueberry Pie." Albums with her own compositions are "Obligatory Villagers" and "Pretty Little Head." Both have been blissfully reviewed discs with stylistic explorations ranging from rap and cocktail jazz to faux musical theater and playful indie pop.

McKay's on tour and appears tonight to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Expect a seductive mix of material and be prepared: She's releasing a new album called "Silver Orchid" in May, and odds are good she'll be test-driving some of those tunes.

Nellie McKay, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook; $26-$30; 1-877-503-1286; thekate.org.