Four Singer-Songwriters You’d Not Heard Of

(Elliott Smith, circa 1997)

1.       Elliott Smith – Born in Nebraska, Elliott Smith was one of those special musicians who burn so bright that they burn out quickly. Many believe that true art comes from misery and if that’s anything to go by, Smith was probably one of the saddest men on earth. Haunted by the ghosts of drug addiction, alcoholism and paranoia, he died at a young age of 34. But not before leaving behind a body of work filled with angelic falsettos and piercing lyrics.
Notable tracks: Between The Lines, Waltz #2

2.       Ben Howard – Benjamin John Howard is an English singer-songwriter, born in West London. A big fan of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, Howard has so far had only one record release but if its anything to go by, there’s a lot of promise from this 24-year-old.
Notable tracks: Promise, Old Pine

3.       Devendra Banhart – The interesting thing about Devendra Banhart (apart from his completely non-American name) is the sheer volume of work he’s put out. In only 11 years of active recording, he’s put out 8 albums and countless singles. The New York Times described his songs as “free associative work” and I must admit that’s a rather nice way to describe it. His songs, although very lo-fi are always psychedelic and with pull you into a tunnel of hallucinations.
Notable tracks: Autumn’s Child, A Sight To Behold

4.       Tom Waits – Born in 1949, is an American singer-songwriter who is one of those musicans who is hard to get. You may not always know where he is coming from. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car." With this trademark growl, his incorporation of pre-rock music styles such as blues, jazz, and vaudeville, and experimental tendencies verging on industrial music, Waits has built up a distinctive musical persona.
Notable tracks: Ol’ 55, Diamonds On My Windshield