Kat Edmonson

Hearing Edmonson makes it virtually impossible to do anything but stop and listen. On her latest record, and now at the Tiny Desk, the 29-year-old is no longer simply inspired by days gone by; with her fragile voice, she gives new life to classic sounds.

Singing standards, the Texas native can move from a lilting falsetto to a raspy growl with ease.

While her mother worked long hours, musicals on VHS would entertain the singer when she was young.