Emily West

Emily West seems pretty cool. On her self-titled debut EP she sings that we sometimes have to learn how to walk with rocks in our shoes, and her earnest sentiment and confident attitude is totally believable -- she has the pipes to back up these catchy ditties and lovelorn ballads (imagine a cross between Shelby Lynne's soulful croon and Bette Midler's pizzazz). Also noteworthy is her good taste in accompaniment -- West's band leans more on the rootsy side of twang with vintage-sounding gear and an old grinding Hammond organ.