Regina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian-born American singer, songwriter, and pianist known for her distinctive blend of indie, pop, and folk music. She began her career by self-releasing albums and became a prominent figure in New York City's East Village anti-folk scene. In 2004, she signed with Sire Records, which boosted her mainstream success. Her breakthrough album, Begin to Hope, went Gold, and her next two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, both entered the top three on the Billboard 200. In recognition of her impact, New York City declared June 11, 2019, as Regina Spektor Day and she was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame the same year.