Alvin Crow, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, Rufus Wainwright, The Shirelles, Skeeter Davis, The Ronettes, Belle and Sebastian, Dolly Parton, Sugarcubes, Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, Jon Brion, The Shangri-Las, Erasure, Yaz, The Flaming Lips, anything Jack White does, Mazzy Star, Sinead O'Connor, The Smiths, Amy Winehouse, Loretta Lynn, family, friends, aquaintances, strangers, other peoples' lives, boys, girls, New Mexico, and last but certainly not least, unrequited love.
Ariel performs her original songs live at venues across Austin, Texas—by herself and with music legend Alvin Crow. Her voice can be heard on soundtracks for films by Robert Rodriguez and Trevor Romain, and she is the youngest female singer to perform before thousands at the Austin Music Awards. Music critic Margaret Moser has compared her voice to that of Brenda Lee and Lou Ann Barton. Ariel has been called the “authentic foil to Britney Spears,” by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine.
All Music Guide Rating: 4 Stars
"... now we've got our own ingenue to rally behind in Ariel Abshire, a 17-year-old singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas. "Exclamation Love" is Abshire's debut, and the title track is so good it's worrisome. What if the first song is the prize on an otherwise dud album?
Yet the recording, which is officially being released on Tuesday but is already available through Darla Records (www.darla.com) and iTunes, just gets better with each listen." --James Reed, The Boston Globe
"Honestly, you could call it a great album due to the title track alone, a near perfect song that brings to mind everything I love about Neko Case and Richard Hawley, sung with the raspy assuredness of Jackie DeShannon's early work. It's easily one of the singles of the year, making the whole album worth a listen, and Abshire's career one to watch."
--Michael Klausman (othermusic)
"...clearly Abshire is an extraordinary talent...although lyrically at least - her songs trace the traumas of a young girl growing up, that voice is something else. Indeed, the slow-burning, seductive soul of ‘Nervous’, the romantic ache of ‘Thin Skin’ and the relaxed melody of ‘Hotel Hallway’ wouldn’t shame a performer twice her age.
‘Exclamation Love’ is a more than a credible debut record for a new talent. Clearly this is not a rush release to capitalise on the short lifespans of young artist but a well written, mature and complete album."
--Leonard's Lair
"...a lovely voice singing great melodies, with touches of classic yesteryear radio-pop, and a general Americana atmosphere (she's from Austin, Texas, after all). So call this teen-pop, if you will, but it's also music that is uncommonly affecting, a mark of her exceptional voice, pure in feeling and sound; the no-frills approach to songs and melodies; and that youthful yearning." --Dave Heaton, Erasing Clouds
Hey it was really nice meeting you last night! although we only got to chat for a short while. i am really impressed with your music, you have such a lovely voice. i really wish you well with it. music is one of my biggest passions for sure hopefully we can hang out sometime and get to know eachother
Hi Ariel! Please tell Cameron "Happy Birthday" for us even though we are a few days late. I kept meaning to leave you a message and then would forget again. I can't believe that he is of legal driving age now. Time is going tooooo fast. We love you guys and miss y'all.
We just put up a NEW DESIGN and a NEW SONG and we would love for you to stop by and say hello! We hope all is well with you. Look around and let us know your thoughts!
Heyyy...Its Josey here lol Thanks to you I got to open for Little Big Town on their tour...now Im in another contest again! ha! if you have a second could you go to this link and click on my name to vote for my video "Red Lights" in CMTS MUSIC CITY MADNESS? Make sure you submit your vote after my name turns blue :)
eyy, eatin some pizza my sister and i made from scratch. well, near-scratch. haha. boyardee step-by-step instructions. it's all good. yeeha. how's it with you? :D
From one artist to another, you write brilliant songs which i could only imagine will become even more touching with age. Goddamn new mexico is funny sweet. love it.
I will be recording a lot of new originals soon.. If you get the chance--stop by and check them out! The original I have up right now is called "Some Kind of Love Song" hope you enjoy it!!
Online Now!
![Austen Leathers [NEW SONG!]](http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/88/s_a39defc8e826405aabff6005240fffc6.jpg)
