Joanna Newsom (born January 18, 1982) is an American harpist, pianist and singer-songwriter from Nevada City, California
Newsom's earlier work was strongly influenced by polyrhythms.[19] Her harp teacher, Diana Stork, taught her the basic pattern of four beats against three which creates an interlocking, shifting pattern that can be heard on Ys, particularly in the middle section of "Sawdust & Diamonds." After Ys, Newsom said that she has lost interest in polyrhythms. They "stopped being fascinating to me and started feeling wanky."[20]
The media have sometimes labeled her as one of the most prominent members of the modern psych folk movement. Joanna, however, makes no ties to any particular music scene.[21] Her songwriting incorporates elements of Appalachian music and avant-garde modernism.