Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor is an American singer and pianist who was born in Moscow in a Jewish family of a photographer and music teacher. She mastered piano as she played the instrument that the girl’s mother got from her father. Besides, the little Regina had an opportunity to learn well the music of the leading European ensembles since her father used to purchase their records in the Eastern Europe. In 1989, Regina’s family left the USSR. The main reason pushing them to do so was the resumed oppression over the Jewish people during the Perestroika period. Making shirt stops in Austria and then in Italy, they finally reached the USA and settled down in New York. At the new place, Regina continued studying the art of music considering it much more fascinating rather than the other academic disciplines. She was so enthusiastic about piano play that she practiced it even in the basement of the synagogue until her parents bought her own instrument.

Aged sixteen, Regina started writing her own compositions. She was inspired to do that by a colorful and memorable trip to Israel. As soon as she returned to America, the girl met a lot of songwriters and performers who convinced her of the necessity to part with the amateur level and launch a professional music career. In 2001, Regina Spektor finished with honors a four-year course at the Music Conservatory in New York having completed it in three years. After that, she studied for a semester in Tottenham, spending a while in England. Again in New York, the artist took up active performing at cafes and bars of the city. In the very beginning, she agreed to sing and play in front of each audience, if any, and on any stage. During these shows, listeners could purchase her debut self-released records, 11:11 (2001), and Songs (2002). In ine of such evenings, the young singer got spotted by a They Might Be Giants member, Alan Mezozi. Burning with desire to help the artist reach a higher level, he introduced her to producer Gordon Raphael. Both of these men made a great contribution to the creation of Regina’s third long player, Soviet Kitsch, being made in New York and London. Initially, the singer was intended to release the record on her own, yet, in a while, she agreed to get Sire Records occupied with it. The release of the album occurred in 2004, and the wide public got their first chance to enjoy the music of the beginning singer since her earlier works had never been released properly.

Shortly after the release of this full-length record, Regina Spektor started for massive touring. Performing side by side with The Strokes, Kings of Leon, Mates of State helped her a lot. The artist rose to prominence speedily. After the UK tour in 2006, she release CD/DVD Mary Ann Meets the Gravediggers and Other Short Stories documenting the most notable episodes from her European voyage. In the summer of 2006, Spektor’s subsequent album, Begin to Hope, arrived. This record gave the listeners all they wanted and expected. It featured all the best sides of the singer’s performance that brought her so much popularity. The material was loaded with flawless piano play, peculiar lyrics and unique singing technique. The new album earned the golden certificate in the States and made it into the local Top 20. It took Regina almost three more years to complete her concert campaign and prepare the fifth studio record before it was finally released under the title Far. The singer went on a tour to promote her new long play and recorded the very first live album Live In London (2010) at the famous concert hall Hammersmith Apollo Theatre. There is absolutely no doubt that the incredible atmosphere and energy of Live In London will be really enjoyed by all the connoisseurs of high-quality and original music.