Hometown: Los Angeles

Sounds Like: Cat Power, Beth Orton

Her Story: While growing up, Sydney Wayser split her time between Paris and Los Angeles, developing an appreciation for adventure and culture at an early age. Her resultant worldly nature has played an integral role in the music she creates, as evidenced on her 2007 album 'Silent Parade,' which finds her bandmates playing everything from saws and toys to wine glasses. Wayser has consistently reached the Top 10 in both the Acoustic and Singer-Songwriter monthly contests on OurStage, and recently won the chance to open for Moby and Kaki King at this year's SXSW festival. Following the festival, she supported King on the guitar virtuoso's East Coast tour dates.

Our friends at OurStage recently sat down with Wayser for a chat about her influences and what she considers a perfect day. Enjoy the excerpt below and read the entire interview here.

Are you influenced by any French musicians?

I feel that I have been greatly influenced by French artists. To name a few: Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg and Raphael. My influence from France has been more than simply music. My influences stretch from architecture, to painting, to parks, weather, the specific light of the sun that only Paris has, the sound of the ambulances through the thin streets, historic events, writers ... the list goes on.

Artist: Sia
Song: 'Electric Bird'
Album: 'Some People Have Real Problem'
Sounds Like: Beth Orton, Aimee Mann

Download: 'Electric Bird' by Sia (MP3)

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Austin indie quartet Voxtrot unloaded a barrage of undeniable hooks in our New York studio recently, and recounted to Spinner their beginnings in the Lone Star State just five years ago. "We didn't even know how to get a show at Emos," bassist Jason Chronis explains of the famed Austin venue. After a series of buzz-worthy EPs, the band released their self-titled 'Voxrot' LP, produced by Victor Van Vugt (Beth Orton, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds). "I think it was really enlightening to have someone else outside of the band that was able to not arbitrate, but give an outside prospective," guitarist/keyboardist Jared Van Fleet says.

Watch the band drop four songs from their latest effort, and talk about their obsession with the '60s and synchronized swimming. Download the exclusive performance after the jump.

Artist: Tiny Vipers
Song: 'On This Side'
Album: 'Hands Across The Void'

Sounds Like: Beth Orton, Cat Power

Download: 'On This Side' by Tiny Vipers (MP3)

Listen to the full 'Hands Across The Void' CD

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If there's anyone who knows his way around a spoonful of sugar -- or some similar white powdery substance -- it's Pete Doherty, so we're not altogether taken aback by word that the folks behind an upcoming Disney homage chose the often-incarcerated, never-duplicated rocker to represent Mary Poppins in the stage show.

Doherty will take a crack -- no pun intended -- at the classic 'Chim Chim Cheree' for the Hal Willner-curated 'Forest of No Return' event, which is to take place next weekend in London.

The show, which will also feature appearances by Nick Cave, Beth Orton and Shane McGowan -- the latter of whom will, if luck holds out, be able to draw on his own experience by crooning his way through a D-T-laced version of 'Pink Elephants on Parade.'

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Beth Orton: Pizza Parlor Waitress

Merry Ol' England has its drawbacks like any other country, but having to live in a trailer park and work at a Pizza Hut aren't usually among them. Londoner Beth Orton -- God love her -- did both.

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