Joanna Newsom (born January 18, 1982) is an American harpist, pianist, harpsichordist, singer and songwriter from Nevada City, California. Career Newsom was first taught to play the Celtic harp from a local teacher in Nevada City. Later on she moved on to the pedal harp and started composing. Newsom studied composition and creative writing at Mills College, California. After touring with Will Oldham, she was quickly signed to Drag City and released her debut album The Milk-Eyed Mender in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Newsom toured with Devendra Banhart and Vetiver. Newsom's work has become prominent on the indie rock scene, and her profile has risen, in part due to a number of live shows and appearances on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC. Her second album Ys was released in November 2006. The album features orchestrations and arrangements by Van Dyke Parks, engineering