Amanda Mora

Artist Information

Biography

The Ribbon is a fresh blend of acoustic pop and cafe jazz with folk roots. This album achieves a balance between being accessible, entertaining, and highly emotive to a wide audience, while also maintaining originality and a fearless dedication to the creative muse. These songs, both collectively and individually, create a world of vision and feeling that will resonate long after they�ve been played.

For Amanda Mora, music is in the blood. She was born in Austin, Texas to two professional musicians, both of whom had a strong musical heritage in their own families. Her parents played together in the Doc Jones Band in the Austin area for nine years during the 70's before becoming life partners and raising a family. By the time Amanda arrived her mother, Jill Jones, was forming a career in Western Swing with a niche in yodeling that would lead her to the top of WMA music charts and earn her the title of National Yodeling. During the years that Doc was not playing professionally, his music defined him as a man and a father, and filled the house with music during Amanda's formative years. Amanda's musical heritage goes back to her great, great grandmother who formed Austin's first orchestra, The Pharr Family Orchestra, and her son, Burnet Pharr, who was the author of the UT fight song and UT bandleader.
Even with all the music in the air, Amanda did not pick up the guitar until she was nineteen. As she describes it, "It happened over night, I went from being completely satisfied with just listening to music, to urgently needing to find my own musical expression. Once I opened the door, a flood came out. A wrote a new song for every new chord I learned, or made up."
In the fall of 2007, Amanda moved into her father's home studio and taught herself to edit and engineer in Pro Tools. In January of 2008, she took her twelve favorite tracks (most of which had been the previous year) into the studio where, as Amanda wrote, "my family's deep love of music and malady of perfectionism overcame me within the first week in the studio, and I soon surrendered to a recording process that would take over nine months to complete." She jokingly adds "I think my friends were all expecting to hear the sing-songwriter nightmare of a whinny voice reading straight from her diary to over-used melodies and three chord progressions. They had no idea what I was up to."

www.amandamora.com
www.myspace.com/amandamora

"The Ribbon is a masterpiece. One of the best songs I have ever heard." - John Aielli, 90.5 KUT Austin NPR

“The supremely talented sing-songwriter is destined to be “the next big thing” in music with a heart.” Steve Uzzell – Welcome to Wimberley

“Her lyrics -sometimes playful, other times poignant and thoughtful - show a depth and maturity well beyond her years…A great debut for a wonderful new talent leaving me hungry for her next release which I hope will be soon.” Ramzi Masarweh, KBRP Radio 96.1 F.M. Bisbee, AZ.

“Her voice is soothing and stirring...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.” – Austin Daze

“Winner Winner Winner! Her CD is one I'll listen to over and over again. She's a big time double threat: songwriter and singer.” -Doris Daley

“ 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

“I really am urging you, not as a wine bar owner, but as a music lover trying to share a favorite feeling, please come see Amanda Mora and enjoy being a part of something special. It's only a matter of time before this witty and whimsical singer-songwriter is off to play her well-crafted songs for larger audiences. I just could not love this musician more!” -Lisa Machac , Clifford’s Original Wine Bar

LATEST NEWS:
Amanda Mora selected as Mountain Stage's New Song Contest Southwest Reginal Finalist. View video and vote for people's choice at http://www.newsong-music.com/contest/regional_rounds/2009/Southwest2009.html
6/9/2009 - Amanda Mora featured on MVYR

One of Martha’s Vineyard Radio’s most popular programs, has a featured Amanda Mora and The Ribbon on The Local MusiCafe Podcast... “Alison Hammond introduce you to today's grassroots artists who will be tomorrow's towering Oaks.” Listen here.

4/09 - Featured in “Welcome to Wimberley” by Steve Uzelle

“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


1/23/09 - Aielli Unleased Interview and Live Set:

Cellist Mollie Fischer, instrumentalist Brent Warnock, drummer Jordan Teitlebaum, and singer Jill Jones join Amanda in the KUT Studio 1A to record a special interview for John Aielli’s online music program, Aielli Unleashed interview and live set. What an honor! Stay tuned to KUT 90.5 or
http://kut.org/unleashed



11/25-/8 The Ribbon Featured at Hear Texas Hear:

The Ribon will be featured at the Hear Texas Hear listening display at Waterloo records through December and January!

10-31-08
“Come To Me Sweet” has been selected for the Texas Music Mixtape by Texas Music Matters KUT Austin. It is currently track #4 on Texas Mixtape #1. You can call into KUT and ask to hear Amanda Mora!

Instrumentation

Line Up can vary for different venues and sizes. Solo shows with Amanda Mora are available. Duet with Amanda Mora and Mollie Fischer on Cello are most common road shows. Trio shows are also common.

Amanda Mora- Lead Vocals, Rhythm Acoustic Guitar
Mollie Fischer - Cello, Harmony
Brent Warnock - Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin
Jordan Tietelbaum - Drums/percussion

PAST DATES INCLUDE
Cactus Cafe - Austin, TX
Momo's Club - Austin, TX
Jovita's - Austin, TX
Scholtz’s Beer Garten - Austin, TX
Salvage Vanguard Theater - Austin, TX
Zone, Dripping Springs, TX
Lucy's, Houston, TX
KUT Radio 90.5 fm - Austin, TX
KVRX 91.7 fm - Austin, TX
Suzanna's Kitchen - Wimberley, TX
Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Turquoise - San Diego, CA
The Palms - Joshua Tree, CA
Cowgirls - Santa Fe, NM
*and many, many more*

ARTIST AMANDA HAS SHARED THE STAGE WITH:
Alejandro Escovedo (Back Porch Records)
Eliza Gilkyson (Red House Records)
Sarah Jaroez (Sugar Hill Records)
Patrice Pike (Tapeslap Records)
Warren Hood
Shotgun Party
*and many more*

RADIO STATIONS SPINNING AMANDA MORA
KUT 90.5 FM Austin, TX
KVRX 91.7 FM Austin, TX
Pacifica KPFT 90.1 FM Houston, TX
KBRP Radio 96.1 F.M. Bisbee, AZ
Songriver 104.1 FM Omroep, Netherlands
KGRL FM – Los Angeles, CA
WMVY 92.7FM, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod
*and more*

VIDEO:
Solo at the Cactus Cafe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQHk-tb0d9Q
Duo with Mollie Fischer at Salvage Vanguard Theatre:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAOJ44mtjMY

Discography

The Ribbon - fully produced twelve track debut release.

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.

Audio

• Come To Me Sweet
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• Water and Love
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• Little Bunny
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• Around The Sun
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• Chasing Coattails
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• Ever Growing
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• Born A Man
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• The Ribbon
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• Monkeys With Guns
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• Man Spice
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• 1,000 Years
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• Above The Sea
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Come To Me Sweet
• Water & Love
• Little Bunny
• Around The Sun
• Chasing Coattails
• Ever Growing
• The Ribbon

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Austin Daze CD Review: Amanda Mora [+ Show ]
  

  Amanda Mora–The Ribbon–Mora’s debut album is a nice blend of acoustic pop and cafe jazz with it’s fe...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

• Amanda Mora on Aielli Unleashed [+ Show ]
  

  http://kut.org/items/show/15498 YOU, MY FRIENDS, ARE IN FOR A REAL TREAT. AMANDA MORA IS A YO...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.

• Texas Music Matter Mixtape [+ Show ]
  

  "Come To Me Sweet" selected for the Texas Music Matters Mixtape #1 track #4. http://texasmusicmatt..."Come To Me Sweet" selected for the Texas Music Matters Mixtape #1 track #4.
  http://texasmusicmatters.kut.org/mixtape/
  

• Amanda Mora's Debut Release: The Ribbon [+ Show ]
  

  "Amanda began recording her own CD about a year ago, and folks, we're talking she physically recorde..."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?"
  

• John Inmon [+ Show ]
  

  “The depth of her writing, melodic and harmonic senses, singing talent, and overall artistic vision ...“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)

• Bright New Voice - Clever, Imaginative, and Musical - Amanda Mora Appears with Her Band at Susanna's Kitchen in Wimberley, Texas [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.visitwimberley.com/articles/amandaMora.shtml Bright New Voice - Clever, Imaginative, a...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.

• Amanda Mora Brings Music to Hays County [+ Show ]
  

  “The supremely talented sing-songwriter is destined to be “the next big thing” in music with a heart...“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

Setlist

Amanda Mora generally plays a two one hour sets with her trio, but can accommodate a variety of arrangements:

Originals:

Come to Me Sweet
Ever Growing
Born A Man
Blue Train
Monkeys with Guns
Little Bunny
Chasing Coattails
Like a Bird
Around the Sun
Man Spice
1,000 years
Pecan Blues
Above the Sea
Clifford's Moon
Trade Winds
Blue Face Boys
Hee Bee Gee Bee Song
Moss Queen
Sun for My Compass
Way High
The Ribbon
Hounds of Love
Cutting the Chord
Tradewinds
Touch of War
Hee Bee Gee Bee Song


Covers:
What a Wonderful World
You Don't Know Me
Was I?

Basic Requirements

Calendar