14 Facts About Thao Nguyen

Thao Nguyen's music is influenced by folk, country, and hip hop.

Thao Nguyen's parents are Vietnamese refugees who met when they were resettled in North Carolina.

Thao Nguyen began performing in high school as part of a pop-country duo with friend Brenna Clerkin.

In 2009, Thao Nguyen appeared solo on the nationwide Hotel Cafe Tour.

Thao Nguyen collaborated with labelmates The Portland Cello Project and Justin Power on the album The Thao and Justin Power Sessions, released in June 2009 and featuring versions of Nguyen and Power's songs.

Thao Nguyen moved to San Francisco around 2009, and has been based there since.

In late 2009 Thao Nguyen met Mirah and the two decided to collaborate.

The album Thao Nguyen + Mirah, co-produced by Merrill Garbus, was released in 2011 on Kill Rock Stars.

The album allowed both artists to experiment with different instruments, with Thao Nguyen playing banjo and percussion in addition to guitar.

Thao Nguyen has fundraised with Dianna Agron for humanitarian organization Oxfam America.

In 2012 Thao Nguyen performed as part of WNYC's Radiolab show's 'Radiolab Live: In the Dark' tour.

Thao Nguyen's voice has been compared with Cat Power, Fiona Apple, Sinead O'Connor, and Regina Spektor.

Thao Nguyen's music has been described as "country-tinged indie folk-pop", and a blend of folk, country, blues and pop.

Thao Nguyen describes herself as a fan of country music, blues, and Motown, and cites Lucinda Williams as a major influence.