Being a Literature student and an all around geek when it comes to anything book related, I’ve listened to my fair share of poetry readings; ranging from the well known classics to the new and upcoming talents of today.

The Internet has become my own little bookshop/library, and I often browse pages like fictionpress for creative finds and sometimes even upload my own writing. I love discovering new artists because they give me inspiration to progress with my own creative work.

When it comes to poetry reading and artistic inspiration, Myspace is slowly becoming my new haven. It was only a matter of time before poets joined the ranks of bands everywhere and began recording and uploading their own profiles. I first came across these new artists while browsing Kate Nash’s Myspace music profile (a woman who’s pretty damn cool on her own), and instantly fell in love.

The first one I listened to was Poeticat. I fell in love with her work, her words so accessible and entertaining that I instantly added her as a friend. Listening to an artist recite their own writing brings much more depth into the work itself. Listening to the rhythm, the rhyme and the words reverberating simultaneously out of the speakers is an indescribable experience. The emotions and feelings the poet attempts to deliver through their words becomes easier to understand. Life is breathed into the sentences and they became more than just ink stained writings on paper.

Dockers MC, who I also found on Kate Nash’s profile, has an outstanding grasp of words and rhythm. The way she delivers her poems mimics the fast paced style of MC/rapping, plus, it’s high in drama and humor. Both Poeticat and Dockers MC’s London accent brings a demotic and down-to-earth approach to their art, emphasising a sense of identity between the poet and their work.

Another artist I am obsessing over is George Pringle. I was first introduced to her whilst reading the Independent. She is an Oxford based poet, which shocked me at first because Oxford is my hometown and I had not heard of her before. Her poems are recited over electro-beats, which compliments the whole new-rave indie movement. Unlike Poeticat and Dockers MC, George has a much posher accent, (she is after all an SW10/Oxford lady), but it doesn’t make her any less accessible and instead emphasises a sense of variety.

These are just three artists worth taking a look at — there are loads of others out there just waiting to be found. Just keep your ears open, you’ll never know what you could hear!

Listen to recited poetry? Have any recommendations?