Jolie Holland grew up in Texas, where from a young age she experimented with writing, playing, and singing music. By her teens she had learned piano, guitar, and fiddle, and was making music her education as a traveling musician. San Francisco was home for a time in the mid-'90s before Holland was on her horse again, ambling to Vancouver and... [+] Read More

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Former Stray Cat Brian Setzer was born in New York City and raised in Long Island. His first instrument, at age eight, was the euphonium, and he played the tuba-like instrument for ten years. He began having dreams of leading a big band with horns as a teen, but got sidetracked by punk. Initially, as a guitarist and songwriter, he took his... [+] Read More

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Born in New York, singer/songwriter David Mead's family relocated to Nashville, where he spent the majority of his formative years, honing his craft in pop bands such as Verdant Green, Blue Million, and Joe, Marc's Brother. Mead eventually ventured out on his own, collaborating on a demo of his songs with local keyboardist Jason Lehning. The... [+] Read More

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Devotchka formed in Denver, CO, and included Nick Urata on vocals, guitar, and trumpet; violinist/accordionist Tom Hagerman; sousaphone/bass player Jeanie Schroder; and drummer Shawn King. Supporting musicians rotated in and out of the eclectic group's lineup, contributing such sounds as strings and bazoukis. While some described Devotchka's... [+] Read More

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This former chef and member of indie-adolescents Snug has extended the range of ingredients, progressed from bass guitar, and long since raided the musical larder (playing piano/keyboards, guitar, banjo, drums, and kitchen sink). At the age of 23, it was alleged he had a backlog of 300-plus songs. They're not all searingly original, but this... [+] Read More

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I'm from Aurora, Colorado and started singing since I could remember. Thru the encouragement from my friends and colleagues, I decided to start creating my demo. A few songs and late nights later, I had the songs I wanted on my demo. I wish I could narrow down the musicians that changed my life to a measley few. Instead I'll just say that music... [+] Read More

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Canadian violinist/singer/songwriter Owen Pallett has been a member of the groups Les Mouches and Picastro, as well as a touring member of the Hidden Cameras and Arcade Fire. Final Fantasy, essentially a one-man solo project with occasional help from drummer/engineer Leon Taheny, released its first full recording, Has a Good Home, in 2005 on the... [+] Read More

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Since he was the son of cult songwriter Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley faced more expectations and pre-conceived notions than most singer/songwriters. Perhaps it wasn't surprising that Jeff Buckley's music was related to his father's by only the thinnest of margins. Buckley's voice was grand and sweeping, which fit with the mock-operatic grandeur of... [+] Read More

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Violinist/singer/songwriter Patrick Wolf began experimenting with sound at the age of 11. While his peers were exploring the frivolity of youth, the precocious preteen was dabbling in four-track recording, eventually building an arsenal of instruments that included junk-shop organs and a home-built theremin. At the age of 14 he joined the... [+] Read More

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Retro-swingers the Royal Crown Revue comprised vocalist Eddie Nichols, guitarist James Achor, bassist Veikko Lepisto, tenor saxophonist Mando Dorame, baritone saxophonist Bill Ungerman, trumpeter Scott Steen and drummer Daniel Glass. Debuting in 1991 with the LP Kings of Gangster Bop, the group was almost the first to catch the wave of swing-era... [+] Read More

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