In a world made small by airplanes and email, Vanessa Peters is at home everywhere she goes - an essential trait for a wandering gypsy songwriter. Vanessa Peters’s music reflects the influences of growing up in Texas as much as it reflects how her music has matured out on the road. Voted as one of the top 10 folk artists in Austin a few years ago, Vanessa then packed her things, took her show on the road, and hasn’t looked back since. In the last three years, she has released three albums and played over 250 shows in 10 countries. Together with Manuel Schicchi (lead guitar and harmonies), Vanessa has toured throughout the US and performed at some of the best venues in Europe: Folk Club in Torino (IT), Roepean in Ottersum (NL), Mono in Oslo, and Electro-Acoustic in London.

This past summer, the band got another surge of interest when Vanessa and Manuel entered Aimee Mann’s video contest for her hit single, “Freeway.” They placed as runners-up in the contest and overnight their video went from 3,000 hits to 30,000 – it’s now over 100,000! Aimee even singled out their video as one of her favorites when she announced the winners.

Their newest record, “Sweetheart, Keep Your Chin Up,” is co-produced with Salim Nourallah (The Old ‘97s) and expands on the sound they have become known for:a blend of rootsy pop jangle and country noir. Like its predecessor “Little Films,” “Sweetheart, Keep Your Chin Up” is something of a concept album, taking fairy tales and myths and putting a modern spin on them, giving voice to such characters as Odysseus, Penelope, The Sirens, the Wicked Witch of the West, and others.

Their 2009 touring will take them across America and Canada and back to Europe as well, where they will focus on Italy, the Benelux, Germany, Scandinavia, and the UK.

#12 on the Euro Americana Chart, March 2009

“Hooks a-plenty…there isn’t a bad track on the record.  I defy anyone with an ear for a catchy melody sung in a beautiful, rich, and completely engaging voice not to be enamoured with this baby.” (8 of 10 stars)
– Americana UK

“Vanessa Peters and ICOM’s “Sweetheart, Keep Your Chin Up” may well be my 2009 disc of the year.”– Hickory Wind (USA)

“Vanessa is a true poet and a brilliant singerwriter”
– Rootsville (BE)

“the best kind of singer-songwriter”
– The Dallas Observer

“a true poet … tunes that move and delight the ears”
– Whisperin’ and Hollerin’ (UK)

“This is the record I’ve been waiting for Aimee Mann to make for years”
– Heartache with Hardwork

“Peters gets it right … reminiscent of Suzanne Vega and Beth Orton”
– Maverick Magazine (UK)

“her superb lyrics and unforgettable performances with ICOM are already something not to be missed”
– Corriere della Sera, Milano

“The album shows a wonderful mix of folk, Americana and alt-country of the highest level…both instrumentally and lyrically, this album is one of her best creations.”
- Rootstime (Belgium)