Devils are not the only thing to come from Tasmania. Singer-songwriter Audrey Auld's heart is in Country, Folk and Americana music with a presence as big as The Outback. Her songs are the wry and poignant observations of a Tassie girl living in California and Nashville for the past five years. Audrey calls it "Music with the dirt left on."
Auld is a memorable and uplifting entertainer. She's a spontaneous comedienne and a writer of humorous, provocative and soulful songs. A touring songwriter, Audrey won the 2006 MerleFest Song Contest and performed her winning song 'Losing Faith' with Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen) on guitar to a thrilled MerleFest crowd.
Auld's debut CD was released in 1999 to award winning acclaim in Australia. Looking Back to See, which is a duet album with singer songwriter and guitar great Bill Chambers (Dead Ringer Band, Kasey Chambers), laid a foundation for Auld's next seven releases including The Fallen in 2000 which was nominated for Best Country Album in Australia. Losing Faith (2003) is a dark haunting release that put Audrey on the map in the US with Americana radio. She began touring the states opening shows for Todd Snider, Fred Eaglesmith and Kevin Welch among others. Texas, which came out in 2005, was also a Best Country Album nominee in Auld's homeland. It was recorded in Texas with Gabe Rhodes, a gifted musician, producer and son of legendary artist Kimmie Rhodes.
By 2004 Audrey had married very well (to directly quote her), became a United States resident and was living in Stinson Beach just north of San Francisco. She quickly became a favorite on local stations KRSH, KRCB and KPIG, playing frequently for Sleepy John's local shows and touring the region.
"I have hosted over 700 live music shows on KPIG radio, and, if asked to give the top 10 performers Audrey Auld would be on that list. She has a great voice and writes serious songs and humorous song that make you think and laugh, but the best part is that she is a great entertainer." ~ Sleepy John, KPIG Radio
While in California, San Quentin Prison became a regular gig for Auld via her involvement with the Bread and Roses organization. Her initial performance to a captive audience led to ongoing songwriting workshops with the inmates. This rewarding experience is what she misses most about leaving Stinson Beach.
It was in Northern California that Auld was introduced to guitarist extraordinaire Nina Gerber (Eliza Gilkyson, Kate Wolfe, and Karla Bonoff amongst many others). The two musically-fast friends hit it off immediately, and their second show together was recorded and released in 2006. In the House is a stunning live release.
Lost Men & Angry Girls went to Number One on the Freeform American chart in 2007. This chart is compiled from the worldwide play lists of DJ's who play music for love, not money. The album showcases Auld's best writing to date and is proof of the heart and mind connection of her music and her huge capacity for compassion and humor in writing songs that everyone can relate to.
2009 finds Audrey living in East Nashville with her husband, dogs and chickens, writing songs and touring . . . stay tuned, because the best is yet to come!
Career highlights:
* San Quentin Prison - performance and ongoing songwriting workshops (BreadandRoses.org)
* Performing at the Carter Family Fold, Hiltons, VA.
* Singing harmony with Buddy Miller and band in Australia.
* Ongoing touring with Fred Eaglesmith.
* Ongoing collaboration with Bill Chambers.
* International Songwriter Series (Australia) - with Jim Lauderdale, Kim Richey, Fred Eaglesmith, Jason McCoy.
* 2 ARIA Nominations (Aust. Recording Industry Assn). for self-produced and self-released albums on her own Reckless Records label.
* 4 songs cut by other artists (including Sunny Sweeney, Big Machine Records).
* 2 Golden Guitar nominations (Australia).
"Audrey Auld is a great singer songwriter. She holds a unique place in contemporary Americana/Roots music. I believe that this uniqueness is largely due to the fact that she is Australian. This affords her a totally different attitude as an artist than traditional American contributors to this genre. Audrey is one of the most honest original artists I know." ~ Fred Eaglesmith
"Audrey Auld's songwriting is honest, passionate and accessible. She's also one of the hardest workers I know. She has the most heartfelt contagious laugh I have ever witnessed and just thinking of her makes me smile. Having her near you will improve your day. She's a friend of mine, I love her dearly...give her a listen." ~ Mary Gauthier
"A singer-songwriter with smarts and a distinct vision who's capable of heartfelt sorrow or off-kilter humor''. ~ Austin Chronicle
"I just finished listening to "Losing Faith" and it levelled me - I had to crawl to the computer to let you know how much it moved me, even after only one listen - I'm hooked". ~ Eliza Gilkyson
“Audrey is the real deal. I call her the Australian songbird. She has that wide-open sound & it’s easy to relate to her music because she sings from the soul.” ~ Jimmy LaFave
“The beauty of Audrey's work is that she understands the power of simplicity. Whether it be in a traditional country setting or on the more edgy tracks her voice stays honest and true." ~ Kieran Kane |
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