I'm going to steer you toward some acoustic stuff I've been digging lately, plus one rock band that I think is excellent.

Colin Hay (former singer from Men At Work, great acoustic stuff. Get "Going Somewhere")

Iron & Wine (simply beautiful. Get "Our Endless Numbered Days" -- and I hear the latest "Woman King" is also great)

Terence Martin (mellow, good songwriting. Get "Sleeper")

The Damnwells (really good "rock is not dead yet" stuff)