Fat Freddy's Drop:
A New Zealand band dubbed "Kiwi Soul". They first were popular in Europe and toured for 6 years before releasing their debut album Based On A True Story in 2005. The album was independently released and distributed remaining NZ's highest selling independent record at 8x Platinum. It also shipped gold on its first day of release.

first listening:
Flashback- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-t5nBbG ... re=related
This Room- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAv6QJiuBbY
Dark Days- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fArI3kDyvII

Second listens:
Hope- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnulICA8 ... re=related
Shiverman- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2BczPaPR-I
The Raft- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knv2ldYclpg

Third listens
Ground My Ego- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZR8J9RNF98 (bongmaster with members of FFD.)

Tim Buckley
Jeff's dad. Folk hero turned jazz maverick.

First Listen
Down By The Borderline- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWcEzruT2yI
Song To The Siren- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxvXI1i9cw
Tijuana Moon- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rOIfLXZ9YY

Second Listen
Monterey- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW10XeSmECI
Once I Was- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDvxQNQhRLU
Phantasmagoria In Two- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UusLG4lasI

Third Listens
Driftin'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nt-efRpjlQ
Sweet Surrender- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-qNBxXjbI4
I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqkh4OwYKuw

Estradasphere
Ridiculously versatile band form California with a higher concentration of skill than Dream Theater.

Recommended listening:
Db Hell(live)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDdXcSSi3D0
Hunger Strike(live)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhtDOCoS9Ag