John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, Flamin' Groovies, Fanny Hill, Shirley Temple, Buddy Holly, Badfinger, Fred Neil, Vince Martin, The Byrds and Burritos, The Troggs, Dolly Parton, Slits, Sweet, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Dio Black Sabbath, The Who, Captain Beefheart, Ian Gillan Black Sabbath, Loretta Lynn, ? Mark, , Humble pie, Ike and Tina, Ammon Duul, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Kim Fowley, POCO, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Faces, The Everly Bros, The Band, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Hasil Adkins, Spirit, Cactus, DEAD MOON, Zipper, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Mr. Haggard... SO MUCH MORE!!
Sounds Like
"...an amazing songwriter who writes spare, pretty songs that come with a world-weariness and wisdom that stays with you long after first blush..." - MINN POST
"...graceful, intelligent country-pop. She’s got a clear, arresting voice and a gift for quirky romantic imagery."- TIMEOUT NY
"...the real deal... an effortlessly captivating performer, with a beautiful, affectation-free voice. It's almost astonishing that her songs haven't already existed for decades." - LIMEWIRE
"...I have a real good feeling that we'll all be seeing a lot more of this up and coming star. The next time you go see Lucinda or Gillian on tour, you might see Amram filling in an opening slot." - TRIPWIRE
"...Amram's country heart makes her a diamond in the rough amid the bright lights of the Brooklyn skyline." - ROCKINSIDER
"...With The Rough Gems, Alana Amram has found a diverse yet tightly knit group of musicians that will help her honky-tonk her way into the hearts of hillbillies, hippies, and maybe even headbangers." - KNOCKS FROM THE UNDERGROUND
Alana Amram & The Rough Gems are a country-rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. Formed in 2003, Alana Amram & The Rough Gems are currently recording their second record and first LP with producer Jesse Lauter (James Blood Ulmer, The Low Anthem). The Rough Gems play a brand of country-rock familiar to fans of the Burritos or Byrds. The sweet sounding arrangements compliment a songwriting style that recalls singer-songwriters like Karen Dalton and Fred Neil. However, The Rough Gems ain't another throwback act. The songs and the band are relevant and a wonderful introduction to a style of music that often gets ignored by the mainstream.
Alana Amram & The Rough Gems are a family-band, not only in size (hosting upwards to eight people on stage), but in the fact that Alana's sister, mother, and father are also members. Catch them on the right night and her entire family (plus inlaws) might be onstage, jamming along to Alana's infectious tunes-- a family feeling rarely captured in this era. You may recognize Alana's surname because of her father, jazz composer/beat David Amram. Alana's songwriting ranges from upbeat rockers and country-ballads tackling lost love and outlaw abandonment. With weeping pedal steels and raucous organs supporting her poetic songs, Alana Amram & The Rough Gems are ready to give the alt-country, rock, and folk scene a run for it's money...
Alana Amram & The Rough Gems's Friend Space (Top 26)
fer real...would love to...you make it to Oklahoma often?...I've got family there...and in Austin...thinking about trying to take a vacation eventually...kind of hard right now, having just become a father...Someday...soon...Just finishing up a new recording myself...the follow up to... sorry the pics so big...I'm not real good with computers...ah well, shameless self-promotion!