The element of surprise is an extremely powerful tool when you aim to capture a group of people. Now, that may sound a little strange in the world of music, but one of the most thrilling moments for me is when I am taken off guard by an artist and totally captivated by what I hear. And miss Audrey Spillman has my attention.

Growing up in Nashville, Audrey was raised on a wide variety of music, from Aretha Franklin to Joni Mitchell. This exposure to such musical giants greatly impacted her artistic development, and led her to study at the well-respected Belmont University. Being surrounded by other passionate musicians only encouraged her to become a stronger artist and songwriter.

Her voice is bold, soulful yet lovely and graceful, with her southern roots subtly floating between her notes. Recalling elements of artists like Norah Jones, Susan Tedeschi, Joni Mitchell and folksier Sara Bareillis, Audrey pieces together her own distinct style of folk/pop that's truly wonderful to the ears.

Her powerful vocals only amplify an intense amount of emotion felt within her songs. Her EP, "Fade" (produced by Neilson Hubbard), is a collection of snapshots from different moments in her life and how relationships mold you into the person you'll become. The EP takes you on a journey that could very easily become your own. From the playful and youthful song, "The Ride" to the wiser and bruised ballad "Fade", Audrey has an incredible talent for writing music that's so compelling and so relatable. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.