Vanessa Lee Carlton, born on August 16, 1980, in Pennsylvania, is an accomplished American singer-songwriter and pianist. She was born into a musically talented family; her mother is a music teacher, and her uncle is a jazz guitarist. Although she began studying music at a young age, Vanessa's focus shifted to dance during her teenage years, leading her to attend the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City for high school. After graduating, she began performing in various venues throughout New York, thus laying the groundwork for her musical career.

A pivotal moment in Carlton's journey came when a chance encounter with a music producer in a singer-songwriter circle allowed her to record a demo. This demo included her breakout hit, “A Thousand Miles,” which caught the attention of A&M Records. Upon signing with the label, she released the single, which rapidly soared to the top of the charts and earned her three Grammy nominations. Her debut album, Be Not Nobody, released in 2002, also achieved platinum status in the United States, selling over two million copies and solidifying her place in the music industry.

In addition to "A Thousand Miles," Be Not Nobody produced other successful singles such as “Ordinary Day” and “Pretty Baby.” Carlton's success on the charts enabled her to tour with well-known acts like Third Eye Blind and the Goo Goo Dolls, and she led her own tours during 2002 and 2003. Following this initial success, she continued to explore her artistic path with the release of her subsequent albums, including Harmonium in 2004, Heroes & Thieves in 2007, and Rabbits on the Run in 2011. Each album featured a range of singles like “Nolita Fairytale,” “Hands on Me,” and “Carousel,” showcasing her evolving musical style.

Carlton's album Harmonium marked a notable departure from the influences of record label executives, debuting at number 33 on the Billboard 200. After leaving A&M Records in 2005, her 2007 album Heroes & Thieves received critical acclaim despite minimal commercial success. Critics from sources such as Metacritic and AllMusic praised the album, emphasizing its artistic integrity and depth.

Continuing her artistic evolution, Carlton independently produced her next two albums, Rabbits on the Run (2011) and Liberman (2015), both of which were well-received by critics. These albums highlighted her personal songwriting and a shift away from her earlier pop style. In 2020, she released her sixth studio album, Love Is an Art, and she has also produced several EPs, including Hear The Bells (2012) and Blue Pool (2015).