THAO WITH THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN

Hometown: San Francisco / New York / Richmond
Why they matter: Charming frontwoman/songwriter Thao Nguyen's brand new album, Know Better Learn Faster, was written in a week, and filled with earnest stories of love and heartbreak shaped by two years of touring for 2008's debut, We Brave Bee Stings and All.
You should know: Unsigned artists take note: Nguyen got her big break after sending a download link for her first album to Laura Veirs, one of her favorite singer/songwriters. Veirs' manager discovered the email and helped get a Nguyen song onto a 2006 Kill Rock Stars compilation. -- Written by Peter Gaston