Biography
Upon receiving an invitation from Alejandro Escovedo to join his tour, the young fiddler informed her colleagues at the law office where she worked that she would not be returning. An Austin, TX native with classical violin training, Amy Farris realized early in her studies that she possessed exceptional improvisational skills. When Escovedo learned of the violinist's capacity to deliver solos with the ferocity of a guitar player, he brought her aboard the van, giving her immediate exposure to the coast-to-coast existence of a rock & roller. She returned to Austin and immersed herself more deeply in the city's thriving music community. This involvement led to recordings and tours with Ray Price, Tish Hinojosa, and Bruce Robison, along with a six-year stint in Kelly Willis' band. That ensemble spent two years on the Lilth Fair tour, an experience Farris cherished, especially the occasions when her idol Emmylou Harris appeared on the bill. When Willis paused her touring schedule, Farris turned her attention to developing her own career. Her songwriting reflected the influence of the Beatles and X, two bands she held in high regard. Through a mutual contact, she sent her demos to Dave Alvin, the guitarist/singer/songwriter who had played with X and shared her affinity for American roots rock. Alvin agreed to produce the project, so Farris relocated to Los Angeles to record her Americana pop debut. Yep Roc released Anyway in May of 2004.
Albums