Regina Spektor was a Cold War baby born in the Soviet Union in 1980. Despite the USSR’s attempt to block Western influences, Regina was exposed to the likes of the Beatles and Queen at early ages because her father bartered for cassettes of Western music. She and her musically inclined family moved to New York City in 1989 as refugees. Regina’s serious piano training was almost a reason for not leaving, but a brief interruption from her lessons did not affect Spektor’s musical abilities in the slightest. She started playing again soon enough in the basement of her synagogue and went on to graduate from Purchase music conservatory with honors in 2001. Regina is associated with the anti-folk scene in New York, a music genre that mocks the pretensions of mainstream music. Regina’s voice is clear, beautiful and quite versatile. She dabbles in vocal experimentation that gives her songs a fun edge. She draws inspiration for songs from literary characters or her imagination rather than her real life. Any subject is game for Regina to write about, but even the most random topics are composed into smart, melodic and lovely songs. Although most of her songs are catchy and vibrant, Regina is a rare virtuoso who has power in her voice and composition to create truly moving and emotive songs, as well as playful tunes.
