Singer/songwriter Gin Wigmore crafts emotional, intelligent folk-pop in the vein of contemporaries like Feist, Fiona Apple, and Brandi Carlile. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, her big break came after beating out 11,000 talented participants to win the International Songwriting Contest in New York, which resulted in a record deal with Universal Music Australia. Wigmore released her debut EP, with the award-winning "Hallelujah" as its centerpiece (a deeply personal song that dealt with the passing of her father), in 2008. A full-length debut, Holy Smoke, arrived one year later, featuring performances by former Ryan Adams backing band the Cardinals. Wigmore's sophomore album, Gravel & Wine, was released in 2011. ~ James Christopher Monger