Okay, so let’s be honest here. I am a music junkie; I love everything from hip-hop to old school classics to those played out pop favorites. The one thing, however, that really tickles my fancy is discovering tunes from indie unknowns, or those less than publicized musical geniuses. I want to share with all the music lovers out there a few of my favorite, low-key female artists that will keep you pressing repeat on your iPod.

About a few weeks or so, I was craving the sounds of more female songstresses. Having enjoyed tunes from Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles, I went on a mission to find more. It was then when I stumbled upon Nicole Atkins and the Sea. Atkins, a native of Neptune, New Jersey, brings together soft melancholy songs that leave your heart aching, but your ears wanting more. I few of my favorite songs include, “The Way it is,” and “Maybe Tonight,” one of Atkins’ more upbeat songs. Her debut album, Neptune City, launched in 2007, will definitely fill the void (in case her MySpace page doesn’t give you enough). If you still want more, Atkins is currently on tour in the US.

Now, if you read Perezhilton.com in your spare time, you’ll sometimes notice that every now and then he’ll inform you of a song that he just can’t get out of his mind. Five minutes later, after previewing the song yourself, you’ll find yourself in the exact same situation. At least that’s how I felt when I uncovered the secret of Mieko. Currently on the Hotel Café Tour, Mieko adds a little something to the folk/indie genre. Her soft, mellifluous voice is a cross between Rachael Yamagata, Feist, and Mozella. Each of her gentle songs would be great to listen to when you want to chill out, drink some tea, and just absorb the world around you. Honestly, I love all the songs on her MySpace page, so you really can’t go wrong if you’re ever in the mood and want to give her a listen.

“I’m a new soul, I came to this strange world, hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take…” Yeah, you’ve heard it on the apple commercial, wondered who she was, googled it, and found out it was by someone named Yael Naim. Even though she may not exactly be undiscovered, she is definitely still someone that’s worth a listen. If you stopped when you found “New Soul,” you need to go back and give her other songs a chance. While most of Naim’s songs are in her native language of French, she does have a few others that I encourage you to listen to, such as “Too Long” and her own cover of Britney’s “Toxic”.

Lastly, I call this one my oldie but goodie. Remember that Grey’s Anatomy episode, with Denny hosting a show retrospective, and then a music video, called “The Story” played at the end, and you were like, “God, what is this song? It’s so good”? Well, that was Brandi Carlile. Now I realize that might have been a while ago, but I’m still pushing for Carlile. You’re probably most familiar with her songs, “Throw it All Away,” or “Turpentine,” that were also featured on the show. Carlile reminds me of Atkins, in that her songs are a little lugubrious, but frankly, that’s what makes them both so darn good.

So, you might have heard of all these soulful singer, or none at all. In either case, I hope I have offered you at least one new song you can use on your iPod when walking to class. And remember, just because they’re not blasting on all the radio stations now, doesn’t mean they won’t some time soon.