| Amy LaVere | |
|---|---|
Amy LaVere at Antone's in Austin during South by Southwest (2008). |
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| Background information | |
| Genres | Americana |
| Instruments | Vocals & Upright Bass |
| Years active | 1990s-present |
| Website | www.amylavere.com |
Amy LaVere is an American singer, songwriter, upright bass player and actress based in Memphis, TN. Her music is classified as Americana, combining a blend of classic country, gypsy jazz, and southern soul. She has released three albums on Memphis label Archer Records, and has multiple acting credits in major motion pictures.
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Amy LaVere was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up in Bethany, Louisiana, a small Texas/Louisiana border town in the Piney Woods region,[1] nurtured by musical parents with a passion for traditional country music. Her family moved 13 times by the time she entered high school, ultimately landing in Detroit where Amy fronted the punk band Last Minute while still in her teens.
The early 1990s found LaVere in Nashville as part of the burgeoning Lower Broadway scene, where she began to play upright bass as half of the popular roots duo The Gabe & Amy Show. By 1999, she had moved to Memphis where she began work at Sun Studio.[1]
In early 2006, LaVere released her debut album This World Is Not My Home on indie label Archer Records to instant national acclaim. She was joined on her album by many accomplished artists, including notorious southern bluesman Jimbo Mathus, formerly of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. The Los Angeles Daily News raved at the time, "Something like this doesn't come along every day." LaVere has also begun a nascent acting career that began with her cameo as Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson in Walk The Line and continued with featured role in Craig Brewer’s Black Snake Moan.
In 2007, Amy went into the studio with acclaimed producer, Jim Dickinson to record her second album, Anchors & Anvils. Dickinson has previously produced albums for Ry Cooder, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones (Sticky Fingers) and Bob Dylan (in a 40-year relationship that has extended from Blonde on Blonde to Time Out Of Mind), and whose landmark role as producer includes such eclectic classics as Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers, The Replacements' Pleased to Meet Me and Dickinson's sons' seminal the North Mississippi Allstars – captured Amy and band at his Zebra Ranch recording barn/'art project' in rural Mississippi.
Archer Records released Anchors and Anvils[1] in May 2007, and the critics instantly latched onto LaVere's album as a refreshing example of noirish southern storytelling. Her second album rose to number six on the Americana Music Charts and earned Amy a nomination for the Americana Music Association Awards' Best New Or Emerging Artist. In addition to her critical recognition, she toured the United States from coast to coast, receiving rave reviews for her genuine and powerful performances. She played a series of dates with The Swell Season, had a breakout performance at Austin City Limits Festival, and shared the stage at the Americana Music Conference with Lyle Lovett, Todd Snider, and others. She continues to tour and looks to expand her dates internationally, where she has already developed a strong radio following.
On October 1, 2008 she opened for Seasick Steve at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
In 2009 she opened for musical group Lucero on their 1372 Overton Park US Tour and also toured as a special guest with Seasick Steve.
In 2011, LaVere released her third album Stranger Me to much critical acclaim. Spin Magazine called it "the breakup album of the year." Q Magazine, the Daily Mirror and The Sun all awarded it four stars. Paste Magazine said: “LaVere could rest on her lyrics alone, which are witty and feisty enough to stand on their own, but by giving her band boundless license to indulge any whim or eccentricity, she has crafted a well-rounded album that is already among the year’s best.”
In July 2011, LaVere and her band (guitarist David Cousar, violinist/keyboardist Krista Wroten-Combest and drummer Shawn Zorn), promoted the UK release of Stranger Me in London and France.
In August 2011, LaVere returned from her East Coast Tour promoting Stranger Me. She begins her West Coast Tour September 4th, 2011.
On September 28th 2011, LaVere was named "Best Singer in Memphis" for the second consecutive year by the city of Memphis, TN.
In November 2011, LaVere and her band will tour Europe.
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2005 | Walk the Line | Wanda Jackson | |
| 2006 | Eat | Wendy #2 | |
| 2006 | Black Snake Moan | Jesse | |
| 2011 | Woman's Picture | Loretta | |
| 2011 | A Fine Step | Maggie | |
| 2011 | The Romance of Loneliness | Amanda | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006 | $5 Cover | Amy | All episodes |