Paul Weller (born 25 May 1958) is an English singer / songwriter, leader of two successful bands: The Jam and The Style Council. In England, he is recognised as something of a national institution yet, because much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture, he has remained essentially a national rather than an international star. Born John William Weller in Stanley Road, Woking, he was also a central figure in the Mod revival.
Tim Finn started as a member of New Zealand's art-rock pioneers, Split Enz, and eventually emerged as one of the band's chief songwriters and most recognizable voices. He has also released a number of solo albums, and was for a time a member of brother Neil Finn's band Crowded House. He and Neil have also released two albums to date as Finn Brothers.
Ben Howard (born 24 May 1988) is an English singer-songwriter, born in London. He moved to Totnes, Devon, in his teens. Howard's musically-inclined parents exposed him at a young age to their favourite records from singer-songwriter artists such as Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and John Martyn. Howard began writing his own songs and after a short spell studying journalism, he decided in 2009 at the age of 21 to become a full-time musician.
Regina Spektor was born on 18th February 1980, in Moscow, Russia, and moved to the United States when she was nine. Spektor studied classical piano from the age of six, practising on a Petrof piano given to her mother by her grandfather. She was also exposed to the music of rock and roll bands such as The Beatles, Queen, and The Moody Blues by her father, who obtained such recordings in Eastern Europe and traded cassettes with friends in the Soviet Union.
Tim Rogers is the frontman of Australian rock band You Am I. He has released several solo albums of a more folksy nature to his You Am I work: with the Twin Set:
What Rhymes With Cars And Girls? (1999) with the Temperance Union:
bonus disc to You Am I's Dress Me Slowly (2001)
Spit Polish (2004)
Ghost Songs (2005)
Dirty Ron (2005) Solo:
The Luxury of Hysteria (2007)
Youri Blow (b. 1981) is a French folk singer-songwriter. He was born on 6th March 1981 in Troyes, France. After a number of experiences in pyschedelic blues rock bands in the tradition of Pink Floyd, the Doors, and Santana, at the age of twnty-one Blow decided to go to Peru for two months. Once back in France, he took to the road solo, inspired by the "mercenary troubadours" of the Delta blues, whose music he began to infuse with the feelings he had of Peru -- a blend he calls Psychéblues.
Stephen Lawrence ("Steve") Winwood (born May 12, 1948 in Great Barr, Birmingham, England) is a British singer, songwriter, and musician who, in addition to his solo career, was a member of the bands the The Spencer Davis Group, recording the hit "Gimme Some Lovin'", Traffic, and Blind Faith. Winwood's commercial success waned during the mid and late 70's. He had a major hit with While You See A Chance in 1980. He had a career renaissance beginning in 1986 with the hit album Back In The High Life which produced hits such as Higher Love and The Finer Things.
Southern California native William Tell is the former rhythm guitarist for the band Something Corporate. In 2007, he released his first solo album, You Can Hold Me Down. The record produced a few popular songs including "Slipping Under (Sing Along To Your Favorite Song)", "Fairfax (You're Still The Same)" (featuring former bandmate Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate), "Sounds" and "Young At Heart" and even charted to #11 on the Top Heatseekers. Since the release of his debut album, Tell has released several demos for download on his MySpace page.
Lydia Cole is a 21-year-old songwriter from the North Shore of Auckland. Her lyrics are born purely of experience. Lydia sees herself and her music as advocates for honesty. Her brand new EP 'Love Will Find A Way' was recorded with talented musicians such as Jol Mulholland (The Mots, Gasoline Cowboy), Nick Gaffaney (Anika Moa) and Neil Finn. The next 6 months hold for Lydia a NZ on Air funded radio single and music video, along with shows at festivals in New Zealand and Australia.
Philip James Selway (born 23 May 1967) is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of English alternative rock group Radiohead. He also drums and provides backing vocals, along with occasional guitar and lead vocals, for 7 Worlds Collide. Selway is known for his precision and proficiency in various styles and unusual time signatures, being named the 26th greatest drummer of all time by Gigwise in 2008. He has worked with Samaritans since 1991. Selway released his debut solo album, Familial, on 30 August 2010.