I need to mention her here as she is a huge inspiration to any artist, in particular female artists. Shara Worden, the lead singer and songwriter of My Brightest Diamond, is a one woman phenomena. With a background rooted strongly in opera music, her songs are a refreshing blend of both indie-rock emotionality and classical sensibility, with soaring vocals that often draw comparison to the likes of Jeff Buckley and Antony and the Johnsons.