07/28/2009 10:00 PM - Katie Frend Special Guests Mike Gent From The Figgs And Merrie Amsterburg
The Alchemist
435 South Huntington Avenue
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130
US
Cost:Always Free
Description:About me: I am a singer and a guitar player, finally playing my own songs again after years of performing in rock and blues projects. I have been working on a new album in Philly with Pete Donnelly (of The Figgs, Terry Adams Band, et cetera.) The sound has been described as pop rock remnicent of The Pretenders, The Carpenters, and if I am lucky...a little Dusty Springfeild. Formed in Saratoga Springs NY 1987. Still together. Have toured as Graham Parkers backing band since 1996. Toured with Tommy Stinson as his backing band in 2003. They have 9 LP’s, 3 EP’s, and 14 Singles. With Graham 1 Studio LP and 3 Live LP’s. Winner of two Boston Music awards, one Boston Phoenix award, ASCAP Popular Music Awards, and a Jam Magazine award, Merrie has appeared on PRI /NPR radio shows "Here & Now", "Mountain Stage", "World Cafe", "Acoustic Cafe" and "E-Town." Merrie has toured with Paula Cole, Aimee Mann, and most recently Patty Larkin, whom she also backed up on bass, mandolin, and bouzouki on her Red = Luck tour. Merrie has sung the National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox six times, and the Boston Celtics. Merrie’s most recent release, Clementine and Other Stories is NOT a purist-only record - but more a collection of traditional American songs, untraditionally interpreted. Says Amsterburg, "I was struck by how light and happy the music sounded, yet the lyrics were so often to the contrary. I tried to arrange the music the way I hear the lyrics." Both of Merrie’s previous CDs "Season of Rain" and "Little Steps" were listed in the top ten albums of their release year by writers for the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Phoenix, RollingStone.com, Improper Bostonian, Kansas City Star, Immedia Wire Service, NoHoLA magazine. Author Steve Erickson referenced Merrie’s song "Opal Moon" (from Little Steps) throughout his most recent novel "Our Esctatic Days". "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was recorded with Session American, for their first double CD.