Every band and every song I've ever heard. But mostly, Neil Young, James Taylor, CSN, Sheryl Crow, Billy Whiteacre, The Beatles, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, REM, Nirvana, and Pink Floyd (I know my music sounds nothing like theirs, but whenever I hear them I get inspired). Also Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie and Bright Eyes, Simon and Garfunkel, Coldplay, Darci Cash, Sparklehorse, The Absentee, Joni Mitchell, Elton John, The Hanks, Canon, Fiona Apple, Janis Joplin, The Shins, The Decemberists, Wilco, Damien Rice and Elliott Smith. I guess I could go on forever. :)
Sounds Like
What I've been told: Rilo Kiley, Neil Young, Elliott Smith, Joni Mitchell, Missy Higgins, Sheryl Crow, KT Tunstall, Bright Eyes, Brandi Carlile, John Mayer
Chelsea Williams
Singer / Songwriter / Guitarist / Street Musician
Chelsea Williams is a street performer, but unlike the typical image one conjures up when hearing that tag, she has done something unheard of: in just two years Chelsea has sold over 50,000 CDs on her own - a number that eclipses many other artists signed to a normal record deal.
Since she was a girl, Chelsea has been writing and performing her own music. Starting out on the club and coffee shop circuit of Los Angeles, she learned that she could make more money - and fans, for that matter - by playing on the streets. For two years, four days a week, Chelsea has been carrying her own P.A. system, pushing it through parking garages, setting up and dismantling her gear, three or four times a day. The albums are sold, one at a time, by making a fleeting, yet memorable, connection with her ever-changing audience.
Among those who have taken note of her talents, and stopped by to see her play, are Adam Sandler, Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes, and Ron Howard. Crosby, Stills, and Nash even sent Chelsea flowers in appreciation for the quality of her cover of "Helplessly, Hoping" they found on YouTube. Chelsea Williams is indeed, a rare breed.
It had been a while since I was last on the Promenade. It was great to see you there! (though I felt like I might have been making you self-conscious, having said for most of the set...)