Because of her supernatural compositional ability and unusual, scratchy vocal intonation, VanderWaal was dubbed "a musical prodigy" by Rolling Stone earlier this year. The Kansas-born and Suffern, New York-raised kid has shown an instinctual grasp for music and how its emotional impact can move audiences at the age of just 13.
Last year, her televised audition on American Idol was a huge hit with the judges and the audience at the theater. After cruising through the competition's final stages and winning the $1 million grand prize, VanderWaal signed a deal with celebrity judge Simon Cowell's Syco Music and released "Perfectly Imperfect," a chart-topping EP record for Columbia Records last year that included the self-penned songs she made famous on AGT.
Since then, the precocious musical prodigy has been on a whirlwind tour that has included trips to Japan, personal appearances across the country, and a long list of live and on-air musical performances. Her breakthrough performances at the prestigious Austin City Limits Music Festival in October drew enormous crowds and received positive reviews from music journalists.
The teenager has been intriguing to watch this year as she matures into not only a professional stage performer but also a more mature, contemplative lyricist. She is self-assured, engaging, and charismatic. VanderWaal's journey has undoubtedly been difficult and daunting thus far, but her close-knit family, management, and producers have undoubtedly kept her on track and level-headed throughout. She's now on her first multi-city tour, which she smartly scheduled in smaller venues as she continues to gain confidence on stage and develop as an artist.
Her sold-out national tour comes to a close in Seattle. On February 23, 2018, she will play at Neumos.
She may look a little like a mini Taylor Swift, but more Bob Dylan than Swift from what I can see so far. In the end, talent like hers is neither this person or that, but its own.
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