Singer/Songwriter CHICKS in New York City

Ingrid Michaelson

If you’ve ever turned on the TV, you’ve heard Ingrid’s music. When “The Way I am” was on Grey’s Anatomy and the Old Navy commercials people were forced against their will to sing her songs all day long. When I bough thte album I was pleasently surprised at how amazing the entire thing was from beginning to end.

Download: Starting Now and Keep Breathing

Rachael Yamagata

There is something so ridiculously sexy about Rachael. I don’t know if its her effortless, makeup-less face and thick dark hair- that same Joan Baez beauty, natural, dark. Or if its her deep and bare voice completely open and raw as if you’re listening to her sing a diary entry….

Download: Be Be Your Love and Collide

Nellie McKay

When I read a review that she was a bit like Eminem meets jazz piano, I had to seek her out?? The Eminem comparison I don’t really get- but sure, she isn’t afraid to rock the boat; make fun of feminists, talk about politics and her desire to get married so she can have a Leave it to Beaver-ish sort of life. Nellie McKay isn’t just a cooky songwriter, she’s wildy talented.

Download: Mother of Peal, David and Identity Theft

Regina Spektor

One song you listen to will have you bawling uncontrollably, while the next will have you cracking up. You can go through such an instense array of emotions when listening to Regina’s music it’s like a therapy session. In my opinion Regina holds this category better than anyone else and will continue to….

She’s not only an artist but a poet, a musician, the quirky noises in the backgrounds of her quirky songs…she’s a genius.

Download: Fidelity and Samson

Vienna Teng

She shares her name with the Austrian home of Mozart and Beethoven. And she herself studied classical piano from the age of five. But there’s nothing old-world about the music of Vienna Teng, whose Zoë/Rounder Records debut brings to mind artists as diverse as Tori Amos, Simon & Garfunkel and Radiohead. “People used to ask what kind of music I played and I never knew how to answer that,” says Teng. “I work a lot with classically trained musicians, but most of my influences are from 1970s-era folk music. So now I call it chamber folk.” She adds: “I’m always looking for the perfect pop song combined with an unexpected amount of depth; that’s my idea of great music.”

You definitely hear this in her tunes….

Download: Cannonball and City Hall

April Smith

April is sort of like a kick back to a bit of swing, a bit jazzy, a bit pop and indie chick all mixed into one. A delicious combination really. She even uses a KAZZOOOOO! in on of her songs and yes, Kazoo needed to be in caps.

Download: Colors and Bright White Jackets

Elizabeth and The Catapult

Any true indie singer/songwriter chick would NATURALLY be surrounded by two men who look like they stumbled out of some indie wilderness wearing their Brawny shirts, while she ahppily sips her homemade smoothie and hums a new tune. This masically makes her awesome, a rose amongst the thorns.

Download: So Serious and Momma’s Boy

Jenny Owen Youngs

Who doesn’t love a woman with a bit of a snarky sense of humor and the ability to do covers of songs by rappers i.e. Nelly and make them sound like completely different original and beautiful tunes. Sex jokes, cursing, upapologetic rawness…Jenny is that cool friend you wish you could be like.

Download: Voice on Tape and Drinking Song

St. Vincent

You’ve got to be somewhat of a badass if you survived being a member of The Polyphonic Spree and you’ve come out looking and functioning like a normal person. That’s just my judgemental view of the band….which I can justify by being a super fan of St. Vincent’s. There isn’t anything particularly intense or different about her voice, but it’s a fragile and emotional voice that grabs you.

Download: Now Now and Paris is Burning

Amber Rubarth

A little bit talk-singing, a little bit pissed off ex-girlfriend, a little friend you want to grab a beer with- Amber’s music is easy to love instantly.

Download: You will love this song and In The Creases

Rosi Golan

Rosi is like one of the prodigy kids that you can’t believe really exist. She plays every instrument under the sun, speaks three languages, has traveled the world and performed at some of the best venues in both New York and Los Angeles….this is just the beginning. Her voice and the producers and collaboraters behind her tunes are all ingredients for her to be the next “thing.”

Download: Hazy and Shine

Vanessa Carlton

Even though Vanessa’s HEIGHT of fame was a fwe years ago now when Michelle Branch and all of the pop/rock chicks were emerging she is still coming out with some great tunes. A former NYC ballerina turned piano playing songbird Vanessa still plays around the city and hopefully…will have some new music soon??

Download: White Houses and Pretty Baby

Lauren Pritchard

Originally Lauren was one of the first cast members who originated the role of Isla in Boradway’s Spring Awakening. Now Lauren is working on a music career of her own…her voice is a bit soulful meets songwriter. She has a ridiculous range and plays piano beautifully….

Download: Hanging On and Soften the Blow