Audra Mae – A refreshing new talent
I hate to say this for fear of receiving even more press releases and emails than I already do, but I do try to click through to a My Space page and listen to a quick bit of as many artists as I can. Many are instantly dismissed (sorry), a few lumber along in the background not really inspiring a reaction one way or the other, and then very occasionally something grabs hold and I snap to attention. That is how I discovered Vandaveer who will be playing our showcase at SXSW and has become a favorite of mine.
I came across one just now that I was so impressed by that I want to share it with you. Watch the video below.
I almost dismissed this one without a listen based on the fact that Audra had co-written the only original track on Susan Boyle’s album, but I guess I shouldn’t blame a song co-writer for the sad state of the music buying habits of the general public. (Actually I should probably be applauding any music “buying” habits these days, but you get my drift.)
Here’s the blurb from the press release:
Audra Mae is set to release her debut album, The Happiest Lamb, on May 18 and will start a run of shows this month at SXSW that includes a stop in New York on March 30 at City Winery. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Audra Mae has landed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell, a TV placement singing Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” on the FX series “Sons of Anarchy,” a record deal with SideOneDummy Records, and in late 2009, co-wrote “Who I Was Born to Be,” the only original track on Susan Boyle’s chart-topping, 9 million-selling “I Dreamed a Dream” album. It has turned out to be a dream come true for the 25-year- old singer-songwriter from Oklahoma. Growing up, show business was in Audra Mae’s blood. She is the great grand niece of the late Judy Garland and her grandmother turned her on to country and folk artists like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Woody Guthrie, while her grandfather introduced her to jazz. Audra Mae is a natural without a doubt. The Happiest Lamb, produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero) follows the release of her five-song EP Haunt last fall. The album spotlights Mae’s incredible voice and her songs are timeless affairs augmented with minimal accompaniment, including acoustic guitar, piano, mandolin and sometimes mournful accordions. By the time she was 17, Audra had taught herself to play guitar and piano. She went to Middle Tennessee State University for a year, flunked out, and moved to California, arriving Jan. 8, 2004, Elvis Presley’s birthday, with $20 in her pocket. Audra will be on the road starting this month and will have extensive tour dates in the months to come.
Here’s a link to The Times (London) interview with Audra Mae
Check out some songs in the player here.