Brandi Emma

Originally performing under the name Emma Burgess, the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter gained significant attention for her debut album, which boasted producers and instrumentalists involved with such acts as David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Nine Inch Nails. After this wave of fame, however, she decided to return to her given name, Brandi Emma, and to her alternative country roots in 2009. Still very much an Americana songstress, Emma's sound does reflect some subtle alternative country influences, but her songs are primarily piano or guitar-based ballads best heard in coffee shops.