Biography
Amy LaCour is a contemporary musician with classic influences. Her music is rooted in soul and singer/songwriter traditions while drawing loosely from jazz, modern folk and indie pop. A child of an African American father and a Portuguese mother, Amy considers it her birthright to blur genre lines. “In order to remain inspired, I have to listen to all types of music,” she says. “And everything that I hear influences me in some way.”
Amy’s debut EP, Bitter Suite, was released in 2007 and features a stellar line-up of backing musicians including Curt Bisquera, Reggie Hamilton, Randy Jacobs, James Harrah, and Debra Dobkin. Produced by Richard Barron, the set is richly textured, moody, and highlights the jazz influences in Amy’s singing and songwriting. Urban Network described the sound as “a thinking man’s cross between Norah Jones and Bill Withers. Rooted,” and named the lead single, “One Man’s Stone,” one of the best songs of 2008. The song was played on several independent radio stations across the U.S. and remains a fan favorite.
In the meantime, Amy continued to perform in LA clubs and in coffeehouses in and beyond California while writing songs for her follow-up CD. Released in August, 2010, The Upswing is a bit of a departure from Bitter Suite. “My musical tastes have continued to develop over the last few years,” Amy explains. “I wanted to incorporate some of the more modern sounds I have been hearing.”
Amy continues to be influenced by classic soul and folk artists like Bill Withers, Roberta Flack, and Richie Havens. Add to the mix contemporary artists like The Black Keys, Andrew Bird, Laura Marling, and Neko Case and you will arrive at Amy’s current sound that puts less emphasis on jazz, and favors modern folk, and indie pop. Produced by up-and-comer, David Bowick, The Upswing sound is one of spare arrangements, colorful vocal harmonies, and a driving rhythm section surrounding Amy’s piano playing and soaring vocals. “I am really enjoying the direction in which David and I took the music this time around,” she says. “I hope that fans will come along for the ride.”
Amy was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She spent her college years in New York City where she performed, recorded and toured with local bands while honing her own style. After relocating to Los Angeles, where she is now based, Amy focused on performing solo and preparing to record her own work. The Upswing, the second release from Amy’s own Voice Recordings label, is currently available online.