All About Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor was born on February 18th, 1980 in Moscow, USSR. She began studying the classical piano by the age of six on the Petrof piano given to her mother by her grandfather. Her father Llya Spektor, was a photographer as well as an amateur violinist. Her mother Bella Spektor, was a music professor in a Russian conservatory. Her father exposed her to bands such as The Beatles, Queen, and The Moody Blues.

In 1989 Spektor and her family left the Soviet Union due to the ethnic and political discrimination of Jews. She had to leave her beloved piano behind. Spektor first traveled to Austria and Italy, but then settled in the Bronx, New York, United States. She attended Fair Lawn High School. After high school she went to college at SUNY Purchase in New York.

She gradually achieved recognition through performances in the anti-folk scene in downtown New York City. More specifically at East Village's Sidewalk Cafe. During this time she sold self-produced CDs: 11:11 (2001) and Songs (2002). Kitsch (2004) was also self-produced but Sire and Shoplifter records assisted her. Her album Begin to Hope (2006) was completely produced by Sire Records. Her newest album Far (2010) was produced by Warner Bros.

To hear the first single off of the album Far (2010), "Laughing With", Click here.

Trade Mark:

Red hair and dark red lipstick
Her very distinctive voice
Sea foam Epiphone Wildkat archtop
hollow-body electric guitar

Random Facts:

Master and Margarita is her one of her favorite books
She performed at duet with The Strokes, "Modern Girls & Old Fashioned Men"
Was the opening act on The Strokes first tour.
Her first two English words were "garbage" and "sneakers"

Style:

Spektor uses a mixture of styles and techniques, starting with the piano and integrating moans, nonsense words, warblings, and other noises
Her songs are not generally autobiographical. They are based on scenarios and characters.
They show influences from folk, Jewish, Russian, hip hop, jazz, pop, and classical music.
She is known to use somewhat unorthodox vocal techniques such as buzzing noises made by her lips.
Her lyrics are eclectic as well. They are generally in English, but also sings in Latin, Russian, and French.

To View More Photos of Regina Spektor
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