Meiko

I grew up in Roberta, Georgia (pop. 808)...

I’d have to say my biggest influence is my dad. He played guitar and sang for me ever since I was a baby. His music was the only thing I ever listened to as a kid.

And...Whoever bought me that Mariah Carey tape "Emotions" did me a huge favor... I would practice singing to her every day. I owe my lucky ear to my dad and that tape.

The first time I sang in public was at an all black Southern Baptist church on Christmas eve when I was 8. For some reason I decided to sing "White Christmas..." I just recently realized the humor in that -- but luckily at the time, everyone thought it was cute...

Soon after, I started singing in talent shows and would do the National Anthem for opening day of little league baseball.

I would always act like i could play my dads Gibson -- ’till he was getting pissed that I kept knocking it around...So he bought me my very own guitar when I was 13. As soon as i learned a new chord -- i wrote a new song...And thats pretty much how it goes.

Meiko's songs find common ground between indie pop and coffeehouse folk, with her distinctive alto vocals sharing the spotlight alongside acoustic guitars, pianos, and unique arrangements. A longtime songwriter, Meiko was raised in the small town of Roberta, GA, where she discovered her love for public performance after singing at a Southern Baptist church. She then took up the guitar, playing her father's Gibson before receiving her own instrument as a birthday present. At the age of 18, Meiko left home for greener pastures, eventually resettling in Los Angeles and scheduling recurring performances at the Hotel Café, a popular haven for L.A.-based singer/songwriters. A self-titled album appeared in September 2007, followed by several song placements in such high-profile TV shows as Grey's Anatomy. Meiko found herself receiving a considerable amount of attention for an independent artist, as her album shot to the top of iTunes' folk music charts while also peaking at number 35 on the iTunes Hot 100. Boosted by her Internet popularity, Meiko signed a contract with MySpace Records/DGC in June 2008; a re-release of her endearing debut album followed in September. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide