I've got a few . . .

Kate Bush showed me that music could be feminine, ethereal, magical and literary and full of story. That music didn't have to just be something catchy or happy. She defined what it meant to be an artist to me.

Old Nightwish with Tarja showed me grandeur and story telling. and escapism.

Florence + the Machine was DEFINING for me and showed me how sounds and genres can combine and merge and really widened my taste as well. Also how to craft music in a DIFFERENT WAY. Rather than just going for highnotes the shifts in texture, vocal placement, how you approach notes? I think she has mastered methods of how to use a voice rather than just typical approaches / technique and it interests me.

Kimbra gave me so much respect and curiosity towards how people can pioneer and create with technology in music.

Utada Hikaru - Was my introduction to any non-English music. She gave me an appreciation for simplicity when done right and that not everything needs belted to have impact. She has mastered warm, cozy, nurturing sounds along with that etherealness at times that I just love.

Antony & The Johnsons was REALLY important for me because they showed me what trans and LGBTQ+ people can do in music and that we don't have to be fitting into a mold to do what we do. I thought what she was doing as a transwoman was groundbreaking and still do.