Amanda Mora
Wimberley, Texas, United States
Music
Press
“The depth of her writing, melodic and harmonic senses, singing talent, and overall artistic vision completely floored me! I knew I had stumbled into some of the best new music I have been associated with in years. She is completely unique and has the breadth and depth to keep up this quality of work for years to come. Get ready.”
~ John Inmon, Blue Sugar Studio
(Producer and Guitarist / Eliza Gilkyson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Lafave) - John Inmon
http://www.visitwimberley.com/articles/amandaMora.shtml
Bright New Voice - Clever, Imaginative, and Musical - Amanda Mora Appears with Her Band at Susanna's Kitchen in Wimberley, Texas
Amanda Mora, at 25, has been running full speed ahead to keep up with the instant buzz and attention created by the recent release of her debut album, The Ribbon. Her music has been described as "a fresh blend of acoustic pop and cafe jazz with folk roots...with a lyrical and musical sensibility that ignites the imagination and assumes the listener's intelligence." Selected for the KUT Music Matters Mixtape #1, an interview and live set for John Aielli's web program, Aielli Unleashed, and a featured artist at Waterloo�s "Hear Texas Here" program, Mora has quickly become a darling of Austin radio, and for good reason.
The Ribbon was produced, engineered, and written by Amanda Mora, with the company of such Austin favorites as John Inmon (lead guitarist/producer with Lost Gonzo's, Eliza Gilkyson, Jimmy LaFave) working on the mix, Lynn Daniel on upright bass, Jonathan Doyle (White Ghost Shivers) on clarinet, Mollie Fischer (Hello Lovers) on cello, Leah Zeger (The Hudsons) on violin, and Greg Lowry on keys, banjo, Dobro, and marimba.
The Austin Daze review of The Ribbon called it "...an album that's mature and complex with its vision and its songwriting/singing skill. Flavored with all things jazzy, folksy and including the beauty of a voice that sings with ease..." John Inmon writes "The depth of her writing, melodic and harmonic senses, singing talent, and overall artistic vision completely floored me! I knew I had stumbled into some of the best new music I have been associated with in years. She is completely unique and has the breadth and depth to keep up this quality of work for years to come. Get ready."
Local music lovers may know of Amanda Mora by her family. Her mother, Jill Jones, is a western swing musician with a niche in yodeling that has taken her to the top of WMA music charts and earned her the title of National Yodeling Champion. Her father, Doc Jones, is a lifelong songsmith and passes down a musical heritage that goes back to one of Austin�s first orchestras, The Pharr Family Orchestra and Blondie Burnet Pharr. Doc Jones' music was, and is, integral to his role as a father and filled the house with music during Amanda's formative years. While her music is all her own, Amanda�s liberated singing style, fine song craftsmanship, and imaginative lyrics reflect her diverse influences and deep musical roots.
Her live shows offer an eclectic mix of tempos, moods, and instrumentation and feature Amanda Mora on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Mollie Fischer (Hello Lovers) on cello and harmony, and Brent Warnock (Grassy Knoll Boys) on banjo/mandolin/dobro, Jordan Teitelbaum on drums/percussion with the occasional addition of Jessie Dalton (Green Mountain Grass) on upright bass (and on a lucky occasion, such as Susanna�s Kitchen, Jill Jones will sit in to sing some unbeatable family harmony.) It is a rare show, and something you won�t want to miss.
Susanna�s Kitchen is a monthly coffeehouse hosted by the Wimberley United Methodist Church, usually on the third Thursday of the month in the WUMC fellowship hall, and is open to the public. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for children, childcare is available from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Pie from Wimberley Pie Company, organic coffee from Hill Country Natural Foods, and hot tamales are always on site! Doors open at 7:00 pm, with music starting at 7:30. This is a smoke-free, alcohol-free venue. - Visit Wimberley
Amanda Mora–The Ribbon–Mora’s debut album is a nice blend of acoustic pop and cafe jazz with it’s feet firmly planted in folk territory. Her voice is soothing and stirring without being intrusive or abrasive. Released in October, at 25 years old she produces an album that’s mature and complex with its vision and its songwriting/singing skill. Flavored with all things jazzy, folksy and including the beauty of a voice that sings with ease, Mora’s album is an interesting mix that makes for a nice change of pace. 5.0 of 6 McRiprock’s - McRipRock
http://kut.org/items/show/15498
YOU, MY FRIENDS, ARE IN FOR A REAL TREAT. AMANDA MORA IS A YOUNG SINGER WHO WRITES HER OWN REFRESHINGLY ORIGINAL SONGS. SHE CAME IN TO PERFORM WITH CELLIST MOLLIE FISCHER, BRENT WARNOCK, WHO PLAYS DOBRO, BANJO, AND MANDOLIN, DRUMMER JORDAN TEITELBAUM, AND HER MOM, YODELING QUEEN, JILL JONES, HARMONY VOCALS. (NO YODELS HERE.) SHE HAS A NEW CD, “THE RIBBON,” WHICH YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO OWN. BY THE TIME SHE GETS TO HER SEVENTH SONG, THE TITLE SONG, WHICH I REALLY THINK IS ONE OF THE BEST LOVE SONGS I’VE EVER HEARD, YOU’RE GOING TO BE CONVINCED THAT AMANDA MORA IS SOMEONE WHO DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION. - John Aielli, KUT 90.5FM Austin, TX
"Come To Me Sweet" selected for the Texas Music Matters Mixtape #1 track #4.
http://texasmusicmatters.kut.org/mixtape/
- KUT Music Matters
“The supremely talented sing-songwriter is destined to be “the next big thing” in music with a heart. The Ribbon is an eclectic blend of Bossa Nova, Americana, swing, café jazz, soul, and pop. Nothing about it is trite or phony. Each piece, whether light hearted or heart-felt is a statement. With so much success so soon, what is on the horizon for Amanda Mora? Simple. More of the same. Amanda Mora – a Texas Hill Country original and a voice you will be hearing a lot more of – you can count on it.” Steve Uzzell – Welcome to Wimberley - Steve Uzzelle
"Amanda began recording her own CD about a year ago, and folks, we're talking she physically recorded it herself: all the tracks of her guitar and voice, and about 8 other musicians and vocalists.
Then she mixed it, tediously slowing down, speeding up, and creating other magic with each track.
Then she designed the cover art.
Then she made her own record label to produce it under.
Then she built her own website, www.amandamora.com.
Then, she made plastic cd cases out of fairy dust and.... nooo, she didn't really do that part. But she did the rest. Amazing, huh?"
- Lisa Machac Clifford's Original Wine Bar
"Amanda began recording her own CD about a year ago, and folks, we're talking she physically recorded it herself: all the tracks of her guitar and voice, and about 8 other musicians and vocalists.
Then she mixed it, tediously slowing down, speeding up, and creating other magic with each track.
Then she designed the cover art.
Then she made her own record label to produce it under.
Then she built her own website, www.amandamora.com.
Then, she made plastic cd cases out of fairy dust and.... nooo, she didn't really do that part. But she did the rest. Amazing, huh?"
- Lisa Machac Clifford's Original Wine Bar
Discography
2013- Awaiting The Sound
2009 - The Ribbon - fully produced twelve track debut release.
Airplay:
-90.5FM KUT, - Austin, TX NPR
-107.1FM KGSR - Austin, TX
-91.7FM KOOP - Austin, TX
-KCRW - Morning Becomes Eclectic - Los Angeles, CA
-92.7 WMVY Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod
-96.1 FM KBRP - Bisbee Community Radio
-93.5 KRTS - Marfa Public Radio
- Radio Paradise - Online
The Ribbon was produced, engineered, and written by Amanda Mora, with the company of such Austin favorites as John Inmon working on the mix, Lynn Daniel on upright bass, Jonathan Doyle on clarinet, Mollie Fischer on Cello, Leah Zeger on Violin, and Greg Lowry on keys, marimba, banjo, and Dobro. It is a rare debut wherein the artist has so fully developed their style and depth of material. Each song explores a different range of influence, including the American folk tradition, Latin bossa nova, early American swing and torch singers, pre-b-bop cafe jazz, soul and pop. The Ribbon stands as a remarkably original work in a world of reproductions.
Photos
Bio
Since the release of her debut record, The Ribbon, Amanda Mora has been featured on public, community, and college radio stations throughout Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California, New England, and Western Europe. She was selected as a finalist in the 2009 Mountain Stage New Folk Contest, and has shared the stage with Alejandro Escovedo, Eliza Gilkyson, Dale Watson, Slaid Cleaves, Sarah Jarosz, and many others.
Mora has become known for her quick witted and openhearted shows with the dynamic cellist, Mollie Fischer. A renowned studio artist in Austin, TX, Fischer is a classically trained musician at the cutting edge of re-inventing cello's place in popular music. As a duet, Mora and Fischer deliver a curative dose of driving bluegrass adventure, a twist of irony and self deprecating humor, a sprinkle of sassy jazz, a few strange diminished chords and fantastical characters, some brokenhearted rockers, cinematic dramas, anthems of redemption and hope, and of course, your feel-good-toe-tapping love songs. With a lyrical and musical sensibility that ignites the imagination and assumes the listeners intelligence, they will captive your attention, and reward you with songs that continue to unfold, the deeper you listen.
In 2010, Amanda Mora helped spearhead a visionary, zero emissions, bicycle/music tour across 12 countries of Western Europe. Amanda Mora was a lead organizer and one of five headlining acts that cycled over 6,000 miles and preformed over 100 shows at some of Europe's largest festivals as well as self organized, grassroots community events. The tour was collectively know as The Pleasant Revolution and featured an audience-driven 1200 Watt bicycle powered PA system.
After nearly two years of careful crafting, the much anticipated sophomore record is here; Awaiting The Sound. Produced and recorded by Amanda Mora, this album explores new musical horizons while maintaining the same imaginative writing and colorful instrumentation that made her debut album, The Ribbon, so memorable. The brilliant cast of musicians include special guests include Eliza Gilkyson, Phoebe Hunt, John Inmon, Jonathan Doyle, Jill and Doc Jones, and many more. Find out more at www.amandamora.com
VENUE HIGHLIGHTS for 2009-2012 Include:
-Cactus Cafe w/ Eliza Gilkyson, Austin Tx
-Momo's Club w/Patrice Pike, Austin Tx
-KUT 90.5 Austin, Live Set in Studio 1A
-Barbes, Brooklyn, NY
-Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, California
-Speaker on Conference Touring Panel and Official Showcase: Austin Songwriter's Group Symposium 2012
Austin, TX
-Blue Hole Amphitheatre
w/ Slaid Cleaves & Monte Montgomery
-Flipnotics Coffespace Cafe Residency
-The Zone Recording Studio w/ Alejandro Escovedo
-Lisbon Bicycle Music Festival
Lisbon, PT
-Barcelona Bicycle Music Fe...
Barcelona, ES
w/Pleasant Revolution
-Toulouse Bicycle Music Festival
Toulouse, FR
w/Pleasant Revolution
-MARSEILLE Bicycle Music Festival
Marseille, FR
w/ Pleasant Revolution
- Ljubljana City Park
Ljubljana, SIovania
w/Pleasant Revolution
-Queen Mary II, Ocean Liner, Entertainer
-Rock The People Music Festival, Czech Republic
-Sziget Festival, Budapest, HU
w/Pleasant Revolution and Rupa & the April Fishes
-Fusion Festival, Larz Germany
-Vienna Bicycle Music Festival
Vienna, AT
-Bike Expo Munich
Munich, DE
-Berlin Bicycle Music Festival
Berlin, DE
Links