Biography
A multi-instrumentalist who writes songs, plays guitar, violin, and sings, Amy Klein has established recognition through her intense, introspective, and anthemic rock output both independently and via collaborations with Titus Andronicus, Hilly Eye, and several additional ensembles. From an early age she displayed pronounced creative tendencies, starting to compose poetry at five. During middle school a close friend’s guitar playing sparked her own desire to learn the instrument; on turning fifteen she received a Fender Stratocaster and devoted herself to practicing at home while exploring the surrounding music community. After secondary school she enrolled at Harvard and completed a degree in English literature. She pursued further studies in Japan, where exposure to the regional noise scene proved influential. On her return to the United States she made Brooklyn her home and, in 2009, became a member of the noted indie punk outfit Titus Andronicus. Performing under the stage name Amy Andronicus, her vigorous guitar contributions and energetic live presence quickly endeared her to audiences, yet she departed the group amicably in 2011 because of its demanding itinerary. Although she then began work on an M.F.A. in creative writing, Klein remained active in music; she had already launched the two-piece noise project Hilly Eye, which issued the album Reasons to Live in 2013. She also recorded and performed original material under the moniker Solanin and assembled the Americana-inflected ensemble Amy Klein & the Blue Star Band. In 2012 she introduced the urban folk group Leda. Beyond performing, she contributed freelance writing to The New York Observer, The Believer, The Village Voice, and The DCist. She additionally established Permanent Wave, a feminist activist organization. In June 2016 she issued her debut solo album, Fire, a characteristically forceful and thoughtful collection featuring Jeremy Wilms of King Mono on keyboards and guitars, Christian Bongers of Hurricane Bells on bass, and Colin Brooks of the News Same and Sea Ray on drums.
Albums
Singles