Regina Spektor takes UConn: A Concert Preview

Her music often characterized as jazzy and eclectic, indie singer/songwriter Regina Spektor has maintained steady success throughout the last several years. Having just released her sixth studio album and performed hundreds of concerts nation and world-wide, Spektor has gained prominence and appreciation within many genres. In addition, her songs have been featured on popular shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Weeds,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Criminal Minds.” She has performed with significant groups such as Ben Folds and The Strokes, and was even included on the soundtrack of the successful independent film “500 Days of Summer.”

Soviet Russian-born in 1980, Regina Spektor is classically trained, both in voice and piano. Nearly all her songs are handwritten and usually recorded with minimal instrumentation: generally piano, guitar and bass. Although she is most often characterized as “indie,” her style has also been labeled as folk, jazz, alternative and even “baroque pop.” 

The singer self-released her elementary album “11:11” in 2001. The piece included twelve heartfelt tracks of love, loss and growing up. Spektor still remained obscure upon its production, but gained more popularity with her following album in 2002, entitled “Songs.” Her next three: “Soviet Kitcsch” (2004), “Begin to Hope” (2006) and “Far “(2009), saw consistent positive reception, as well as an increase in fame. Spektor began to slowly achieve popularity through guest appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman”, “Saturday Night Live” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Spektor’s lyrics center on relationships, spiritualism, American society, government and the forces behind pop culture. She has been known for her imaginative word choice and slightly “imperfect” vocals, placing value on  the “rawer” quality of singing. A blend of various musical flavors, Regina Spektor appeals to listeners through lyrical quality and a folksy, warm and comforting sound.

Spektor will be performing at the Jorgensen Theater at UConn this coming Saturday, October 6. Attendees looking to familiarize themselves with her newest work may want to give a listen to “What We Saw from the Cheap Sheets.” It is Regina’s most recent album, released in May 2012. The EP compiles past live performances, along with new tracks, all written by Spektor. An already sold-out show, her performance is sure to please indie and folk listeners alike.