Diane Birch

Diane Birch launched her recording career with the 2009 album Bible Belt, blending soulful singer-songwriter elements with gentle pop reminiscent of the 1970s, drawing from artists like Carole King, Laura Nyro, and Elton John. Although Michigan was her birthplace, Birch's childhood involved extensive travels across Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia, and Oregon alongside her father, a preacher. Her eclectic musical tastes mirrored this nomadic early life, and after training on piano through the Suzuki method, she relocated to Los Angeles to fuse her passions for Motown, blues, and classic pop into a distinctive retro style. She refined her skills in England before coming back to the United States to ink a deal with S-Curve Records. Bible Belt hit shelves in May 2009 and included guest appearances by musicians from Galactic, the Roots, and the Jive Five, with four singles issued from it the following year. The project earned positive reviews and enabled her to perform widely on the road. She put out the digital benefit single "Wind Up Bird Song (For Japan)" in 2011, directing the funds toward recovery from the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown. British rapper Devlin included a cover of her track "Rewind" on a release in early 2013, with Birch contributing to the backing vocals. Her second album, Speak a Little Louder, arrived in fall 2013.