The city of Austin, Texas; The city of Los Angeles, California; X; Dave Alvin; Willie Nelson; the Beatles; Dusty Springfield; the Kinks; Curtis Mayfield; Kelly Willis; Bruce Robison; Patsy Cline; Loretta Lynn; Emmylou Harris; various girl groups of the 'sixties; Stuff Smith; Eddie South; Johnny Gimble; Stephane Grappelli; Roky Erickson; Dolly Parton; George Burns and Gracie Allen; Frank Sinatra; Mary Wells; Blossom Dearie; Ella Fitzgerald; Sarah Vaughn; Fred Astaire; Billie Holliday; Scott Walker; Ray Price; George Jones; Neko Case; Beth Orton; Alejandro Escovedo; Tammy Wynette; Skeeter Davis; Aimee Mann; Randy Weeks; Dr. Shinichi Suzuki; Screamin' Jay Hawkins; Tom Waits; Bob Dylan; Cab Calloway; I See Hawks in LA; the YeahYeahYeahs
I'm a native of Austin, Texas, where I lived until 2003, when I moved to Los Angeles. While in Austin I played violin, viola, mandolin and sang harmonies with a lot of different artists including Ray Price, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, Charlie Robison, Alejandro Escovedo, Tish Hinojosa, Elana James, Monte Warden, Sara Hickman and Ray Wylie Hubbard. In LA I recorded my first solo album, ANYWAY, produced by Dave Alvin and engineered by Mark Linett. I was lucky enough to co-write three of the songs on my record with Dave (!). Television performance credits include LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CONAN O'BRIEN, THE GRAND OLD OPRY, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS and SESSIONS ON W. 54TH STREET. In Los Angeles I've played extensively with Dave, as well as Exene Cervenka, Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, Greg Dulli, I See Hawks in L.A., low-fi sugar, Duane Jarvis, Deadrock West, The Hollow Trees, Ben Vaughn, Grant-Lee Phillipps, Quazaar and the Bamboozled, David Serby, Grant Langston, Sarah Stanley and Claire Holley. My most thrilling recording experience out here has been with Brian Wilson on his album GETTING IN OVER MY HEAD. Television recording credits include KING OF THE HILL, CSI: MIAMI and MAD MEN. I am obsessed with string arrangements, esp. cheesy gorgeous spectacular ones from the 'seventies.
As a studio musician I play violin/fiddle, viola, simple cello parts, mandolin and sing harmony and lead vocals. I also arrange string sections and perform all the parts, creating "sections" of sizes ranging from 2-60 tracks/parts; or I can write arrangements for a traditional quartet or section. Drop me a line if you'd like more information on my studio work, pricing, etc., or if you'd like to book me or my band.
Some of the guys I'm lucky enough to play with in MY aforementioned band are Taras Prodaniuk, Ed Tree, Steve Mugalian, Carl Byron and Bryan Head.
Take it easy -
Amy
A STATEMENT FROM EXENE CERVENKA June 2, 2009 After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time.
Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it. I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-1990's; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.
While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.
My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health--many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people. To find out more about Sweet Relief please visit: www.sweetrelief.org To find out more about X please visit: www.xtheband.com
Hey, Amy...welcome 'home'...hope life is treating you well in the big city. And enjoy the festival! (Lisa/'fiddlisa") Oh, and hey, drop me a CD for the show sometime, if you wanna! I'd love to play some of your music.
AMY FARRIS this Saturday at THE PRESS! This is going to be a great show, bring your friends. Reservations recommended, call 909.625.4808. 10 pm. 21+. NO cover. For map and directions go to www. thepressrestaurant. com.
