Rachael Yamagata March 23, 2009

Rachael Yamagata grew up listening to Carole King, Roberta Flack, James Taylor, and the like, for music was the one thing in Yamagata's life that remained consistent. She was formerly the lead vocalist of a funky group called Bumpus, a mainstay on the club circuit in Chicago. After six years, she left Bumpus to focus on her own work, landing a record deal in 2002 and releasing her debut, 'Happenstance.' Song from the album found their way onto several teen-driven TV shows, including 'The O.C.' and 'Alias.' 'Happenstance' also endeared Yamagata to such musicians as Ray LaMontagne, Jason Mraz, Ryan Adams, Conor Oberst, and Rhett Miller, all of whom invited her to perform on their albums. Her sophomore effort, 'Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart,' arrived in 2008.