Listen and Learn

Regina Spektor is a new, fresh talent with a very special voice. She is probably a cross between Fiona Apple and Jewel, but definitely has her own style.

She comes out of New York with a punk sound of Acoustic/Alternative. Each of her songs are very different and have their own story. My favorite is the track “Fidelity”, which has a video out on VH1 that you can vote for on their countdown.

Regina’s latest album, Begin to Hope, can be bought on iTunes and other Internet music stores. She is up and coming so definitely look out for her.

Check out Regina Spektor’s MySpace to listen!: www.myspace.com/reginaspektor

Amos Lee is a beautiful, natural voice from Philadelphia who has captivated many with his soulful sound. He has toured with the likes of Nora Jones, and shares a similar sound.

He is definitely considered folk rock, but his voice brings a soulful jazzy feel in some tracks. Amos is mostly acoustic but keeps it very interesting. Some acoustic artist’s songs can sound very similar with the same beat, but he changes it up with every track.

Amos just released his second studio album, Supply and Demand, which showcases his unique writing style and amazing vocal talent. It’s an album that you can listen to in very different moods, with not a bad track on it. You can find Supply and Demand on iTunes as well as many other mp3 music sites.

Listen to Amos Lee on MySpace!: www.myspace.com/amosleeofficial

This soulful Scottish has already made his way to the United States. Although Paolo Nutini is only 19 years of age, he has the talent of a music veteran. His sound is soulful acoustic and is inspired by many artists such as Ray Charles and Van Morrison. Paolo’s debut album, These Streets, is out and you can buy it on iTunes.

Listen to Paolo Nutini tunes on MySpace!: http://www.myspace.com/paolonutini

Not a band, but one man. The name is confusing, but that isn’t even the start of it. Citizen Cope is actually Clarence Greenwood. He hails from Brooklyn but has lived all over. His music is very progressive and different from anything you have ever heard.

Citizen Cope’s sound could possibly be categorized as a mixture of soul/rock/folk, but also mixed with beats that are well known with hip-hop. But you can’t put him into any sort of box. Every song is different, takes you to a different place every time. Listen to one album of his and you will understand what I mean by an eclectic group of sounds.

He has already made a big impact in the United States being feature on television shows such as “The O.C.”. In fact, his RCA album, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, has had every track from it licensed numerous times to be in films and television.

You won’t understand what I am talking about at all if you don’t go check Citizen Cope. We will continue to be seeing a lot more of him.

Listen to some tunes on Citizen Cope’s MySpace!: www.myspace.com/citizencope

Ray Lamontagne has one of the most amazing, heartfelt voices I have ever heard! His music is acoustic/folk masterpiece! Not to mention, he has this humble appearance about him that is not found in artists of his talent. He comes out of Maine and is well loved by his northerners. In due time, the south will catch on!

Lamontagne is with the major record label RCA and has just released his second album, Till The Sun Turns Black, which has gotten rave reviews. A favorite of mine would have to be the song “Three More Days”. Has a bit of a soulful voice in this one!

This is definitely not mainstream type of music, but he might not be able to keep himself low key for long.

Check out some Lamontagne tunes on MySpace!: www.myspace.com/raylamontagne

This artist should be taking the United States by storm very soon. Jose Gonzalez is an Argentinean Swede singer and songwriter who is critically acclaimed all over Europe. The UK absolutely loves him and there are good reasons why.

Though having a very distinct sound, it is very reminiscent of Elliot Smith, which is someone he is influenced by. His Argentinean father was very eclectic in his music choices enjoying American and UK pop classics as well as Latin American music. This soon rubbed off on his son, who has dabbled into everything from hardcore to indie rock.

Jose came back to his six-string and mellow voice. In 2004, Jose signed with London-based label Peacefrog, releasing his UK debut, the EP Crosses. When his album Veneer dropped that April, he had already started a buzz around town.

Veneer is one of those albums that you can listen to over and over again and never get sick. It’s mellow, enchanting and goes through a variety of emotions. The track, ‘Heartbeats’, was originally by a Swedish band The Knife and a Vaneer highlight. Critics alike have called Jose’s version something “timeless”. The tracks ‘Heartbeats’ and ‘Crosses’ have more than likely been adopted into listener’s all time favorite song lists.
Give him a listen and you are sure to become a fan!

Visit Jose Gonzalez on MySpace! : www.myspace.com/josegonzalez