![Sandi Thom.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b53ecd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/200x150+0+0/resize/880x660!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.npr.org%2Fprograms%2Fwc%2Fimages%2F2006%2F09%2Fsandithom200-64d778bb6ebaa274ea4149bd1224e64f5bda877b.jpg)
Having recently moved from basement performances to the top of the U.K. singles charts, Scottish singer/songwriter Sandi Thom continues to win fans, thanks to a whimsically appealing brand of folk-pop. Characterized by powerful and dynamic vocals, her songs find Thom lusting for the era of vinyl at the record store and letters through the mail.
After a childhood in a small fishing village, the stress of constant gigging later in Thom's career was difficult. A transportation breakdown left her frustrated and, luckily, enlightened: Thom began webcasting a series of performances from the basement of her Tooting apartment earlier this year, and within 10 days of this extremely popular 21-day "tour," she was signed to Sony's RCA. Thom's debut album, Smile... It Confuses People, has enjoyed astounding success, with her single "I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)" reaching #1 on the U.K. singles charts in June.
Copyright 2006 XPN