Songwriter Jimmy Atto, who is from Detroit, is currently an unsigned but touring artist. He hit up Marquette’s Union Sports Annex last weekend and will return next semester for another show. He took some time to share the tunes he’s been listening to the past week with Marquee.

1. Sara Watkins — “Same Mistakes”
“Sara is a member of Nickel Creek, and this is her first solo record. The entire thing is amazing. ‘Same Mistakes’ is a great little song that anyone can relate to, in terms of sabotaging one’s own prior relationships even though you don’t want to. No one ever wants to screw up, do they? I do it all the time.”

2. Citizen Cope — “Back Together”
“Citizen Cope has his own style and no one writes or performs like him. I got the chance to see him when I was in Kansas City and talk with him a bit after the show. This song sounds like a relationship song, but it’s about self-awareness and a dialogue with oneself. He’s one of my biggest influences as a songwriter.”

3. BandB — “Digital Disease”
“This is a fellow Detroit area band. I met this guy, Chris Breest, a few years ago when I was recording my last record. It was at the same time he was recording BandB’s first album, “BENT.” The entire album is great. It’s very diverse with a little acoustic, a little rock, alternative, and some ‘hillbilly’ influence as well. ‘Digital Disease’ is a spooky number. I don’t really know what it’s about, but the orchestration and production value alone are enough to rock to.”

4. Vienna Teng — “Whatever You Want”
“I heard about Vienna many years ago, I can’t recall where, but just got the opportunity to see her live last (Sunday) night in Iowa on my way down to Wichita. This is such a catchy tune, and she is really an amazing piano player and songwriter. This is a very memorable tune. I suggest checking her out. Although, she just played in Milwaukee last week, so it might be a while.”

5. Ryan Adams — “So Alive”
“I listen to this song any time I need motivation or to get pumped up. My dream would be to perform this song live and actually do it justice, which I think is pretty difficult. But his song is super high energy and rockin’! Ryan Adams, to me, is the best songwriter of this generation. No one can even come close. I hold this guy in high esteem.”