Music: Riffs

The First and Latest Albums Bought by Leigh Nash, Lead Singer of Sixpence None The Richer

Barry Manilow

Greatest Hits

MY SISTER and I were waiting to save up and buy this for a long time. Once we had it and knew the lyrics to "Copacabana" I sang and my sister danced - just for my dad on Fathers' Day. Manilow has a great voice. It is really pure and strong and theatrical, and he is a great showman. I was more influenced by country music, however. The lyrics were just so funny, while at the same time poignantly sad. Being that passionate about singers and their songs definitely shoved me on along a beautiful path. I started to sing the songs I liked. At first it was to mimic them and make people laugh. Then after discovering I had a voice of my own I would try to get a band to let me sing during their set, which was country music because we lived in Texas.

Manic Street Preachers

This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours

I WASN'T a fan, but I was really into Radiohead and knew they were along the same lines. My husband is a connoisseur of British rock music and he introduced me to the Manics. Recently I got the whole back catalogue. James Dean Bradfield has a wonderful way of making you feel something, even though you can't understand all the lyrics. He carries a lot of emotion in his voice, which not everyone can do: emoting is a different type of singing. Some of the songs are just angry. The band's history is so amazing and sad. And I prefer a sad song to a happy song.

Sixpence None The Richer's cover of The La's' "There She Goes" (Elektra) is out this week