Amelia Curran is a seeker. Nearly a decade ago she left St. John’s for Halifax, but still pines for Newfoundland every single day. With a number of East Coast Music Award nominations and an extensive discography, including: War Brides (2006), Lullaby for Barflies (2002), Trip Down Little Road (2001), and Barricade (2000), Curran knew it was finally time to make a record at home.
Over the past two years she recorded with Don Ellis in various caverns in St. John’s, the city of legends, from the abandoned CBC building on Duckworth Street to an old farm house on the fringes of town. For Curran St. John’s captures the essence of her inner huntress.
A songwriter by trade, but a writer at heart, Curran believes language is everything. She describes the craft of song-writing as an act of “expressing the inexpressible, a means of describing the indescribable.”
“Bye, Bye Montreal” could pay homage to Leonard Cohen and the thriving arts scene of yesteryear, but that’s the beauty of Curran. She never explicitly says what her songs about. She just opens the door and allows room for various interpretations and relationships.
“All Hands On A Grain of Sand,” speaks to Curran’s ability to elevate the lyrical into the poetical. Her desire to reconcile the past and move into the future is a constant struggle. “Ah Me,” manifests biblical myths into self-reflexive epiphanies, while “The Mistress,” is part confession, part obsession. A narrative-driven internal contention of what it means to be the other woman.
“Mad World, Outlive Me,” mines for the truth and untouchable gems held deep within the soul. With splashes of folk and cabaret aesthetics, “The Company Store,” wades through a lost way of life.
“Julia,” turns the page on a bleeding heart, while “Tiny Glass Houses,” shatters expectations and rebuilds the broken places within us all. “The Dozens,” is a toe-tapping rendition of harnessing one’s inner lover.
Retribution arrives in both “Love’s Lost Regard,” and “Wrecking Ball,” but it’s the album’s closer, “Last Call,” that leaves listeners thirsty for another round.
Hey Amelia: Just saw the last CD's is out now on Six Shooter. Congrats. It's a great record. Just released a new one myself... now the journey begins again. Take care, Rob
Hi Amelia, all my best wishes for 2009. We look forward to seeing you on stage at Berlin Guitars in March. I added your video Tiny Glass Houses to my page. Great song! Peace, love and happiness. LB
Hey Amelia: thanks for the add and the song advice.
"I've got a story, doesn't everyone? My wisdom was slow to come and I've lost just as many times as I have won. But I don't give up." - from "Hometown" by Carmel Mikol. Listen now...
Amelia you have such an amazing voice, and you write such great songs and incredible harmonies!
When Liam was little he loved your CD... he used to always ask for "a million curtains" (took a while to figure that one out... his language is a tad better now, fortunately... but that one's on the list of "Liamisms"!). Have fun travelling Canada. Cheers!
We loved watching your set in Toronto. I wish you were around to see us when we come to NS. Oh well, maybe we can hook us with you next time you come here. Take care.
Hey Amelia, It was great meeting you at the SAC AGM and better still listening to your songs. Thanks for accepting my friend request and hoping to catch a show soon. All the best, Mario
Hi Amelia, thanks for finally adding me to your friends. Yes, I found you and I'm very happy about it. Your such a great singer and I would love to listen to more on your player. All best wishes, LB
Hello Amelia, Thank you for accepting my request and for adding me on your list. You seemed to think that "you won't find me", but we've finally found you and I'm truly glad to be the one of them. :) Thank you, Amelia. Your music is awesome and I simply love it. Cheers from Tokyo, Akihiro
Amelia Curran is the greatest songwriter on the east coast and I will stand on Al Tucks coffee table in my cowboy boots and say it in a twang that sounds like Steve Earle's
Wow. Your lyrics are really great... glad I came across your site. Checking out the full sampler thing on www. sandbarmusic. com now... Would love to catch a show if you are passing through Ottawa sometime.
