So, Amber Rubarth. I basically would have driven to Austin just to see her play for 30 minutes. I've had her record, Good Mystery, on repeat for weeks now. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, it's just a beautiful, honest, record. A lovely voice, over songs that get stuck in your head... I find myself puttering around singing lines and melodies that just won't go away.

We walked from Dan Black over to the MySpace/SongCast Day Party to see Amber, which was basically as much of a musically 180 as you can have. Electornica, beats, loud guitars from Dan, to Amber's simply strummed acoustic guitar with a single cello (stand up bass?) accompaniment. A quick set, Amber played a Tom Waits cover before kicking into a couple of tracks from her first record, New Green Lines, before finishing the set with three songs from her most recent album, Good Mystery.

The best news for me was that she played my request (and seemed quite surprised by it), Answer, the "I'm-Going-To-Break-Up-With-You-Before-You-Break-Up-With-Me" anthem (I like the melodies, and it's kind of funny!).

Enjoy the set, and be sure to pick up Good Mystery ($8!).

Live MP3 MP3s:
Chrysanthemum Song
Novacaine
Answer
Song To Thank The Stars
Edge Of My Seat
Outro

Labels: ace's lounge, amber rubarth, austin, live mp3s, myspace party, songcast, soundboard mp3s, sxsw

I'm a sucker for female singers that remind me of old school Jenny Lewis.. the early Rilo Kiley days. So, when I get promo emails with tag lines like "For fans of: A Fine Frenzy, Jenny Lewis, Joanna Newsom" and bios like "At 17 years old, Amber moved to Nevada to become a chainsaw sculptor. Three years later she decided to pursue her number one passion, trading her chainsaw for a guitar. She began touring and immediately people took notice of her unique approach of sculpting stories through song, working her way around and chipping away until the truest form inside beamed to life." I tend to break down and click on the link and listen for at least one song.



Lovely.

If I make it to SXSW this year, I'll definitely be going to see her.

Labels: amber rubarth