Tamara Fishman

Artist Information

Biography

"Tamara's voice reaches every cavity of a club. Her lyrics compliment the heavy-folk groove, wrought with the primal epistle of survival and independence.” --East-Village.com

"Sarah McLachlan meets Alanis Morisette after a couple of shots." --fan at The Knitting Factory

The first thing you notice is the voice: classically trained, burnished with soul, soaring and stunning one moment, then hushed like a prayer. Then you hear the words: songs of survival, cries from the dark, epiphanies and rueful truths. The melodies curl around you, insistent and electric, and the percussive acoustic guitar takes hold. Think Lucinda Williams with a gospel voice or Mahalia Jackson crossed with Sheryl Crow: Tamara Fishman is a singer-songwriter with poetic depth and bluesy soul.

The daughter of a poet, Tamara quickly learned the power of words. It wasn’t long before she also discovered the expressive and supple instrument of her voice. Tamara’s songs, built on a rock and folk base, have absorbed various influences over the years, including blues, musical theater—among other roles, she was a featured vocalist in Hair—and deep soul: she sang in Tulane University’s gospel choir. After college, she joined or created several rock bands, including Ruby Red and Ruby Girl.

Looking to perfect her sound, Tamara bought a guitar and taught herself how to play. Within months, she was a regular in the New York City open mic scene and soon began performing solo shows at such venues as The Baggot Inn, CB’s 313 Gallery, Pianos, and The Knitting Factory. Tamara was also selected to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Makor/Steinhardt Center of the 92nd Street Y.

From child poet to gospel singer to rock front-woman, Tamara’s journey to accomplished singer-songwriter has culminated in the release of her debut full-length CD, The Hunger and the Silence, available on CD Baby.com and iTunes.

Instrumentation

Solo Show:
Tamara Fishman - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

Possible Additional Players:
Bass Guitar
Violin

Discography

The Hunger and the Silence - 2006

www.cdbaby.com/tamarafishman

Audio

• Surprised
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• If Not You
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• Jerusalem Calls
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Lyrics

• Jerusalem Calls
• Surprised
• If Not You

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• A Miraculous Voice [+ Show ]
  

  I thought it was only in comic books and movies, but it turns out that superheroes do exist; I’ve fo...I thought it was only in comic books and movies, but it turns out that superheroes do exist; I’ve found one named Tamara Fishman — a.k.a. Wondergirl — and her special power is a voice prettier than Superman’s cape and stronger than Wolverine’s Adamantium skull.
  
  This woman has some set of pipes, and on her new CD The Hunger and the Silence they are the star. The instrumental accompaniment on all eleven tracks is only a single acoustic guitar; minimalist to be sure, but it is amazing how well this setup works. Tamara’s voice is its own “wall of sound," and the skill and force with which she wields it makes me feel so inferior that I can no longer sing in the shower. She echoes the best of American coffeehouse folk (think Natalie Merchant, or even Joan Baez) and closing your eyes you can see her, right over there, sitting under the low-watt light in a smoky room full of bereted beatniks while Sal and Dean drink wine and sing along to the choruses. Her music is so rich, with its layers of poetic blues melted over old spirituals and defiant, “This is me!” rock, that it is incredible to learn that Tamara writes the songs, too. A miraculous voice and true writing ability; somebody won big in the talent lottery.
  
  I haven’t been able to get enough of this voice and what it sings about. It’s beautiful, and soulful, and most of all, just FULL. Get The Hunger and the Silence, and get moved.
  

• Not your typical singer/songwriter! [+ Show ]
  

  Tamara’s debut release, “The Hunger and the Silence”, is a testament to her powerful voice. This is ...Tamara’s debut release, “The Hunger and the Silence”, is a testament to her powerful voice. This is not your typical singer/songwriter! She sings from the heart and invades your soul.
  

• Cuts to the Core [+ Show ]
  

  Tamara Fishman's debut is pretty special. She retells the Greek myth of Persephone on one track and ...Tamara Fishman's debut is pretty special. She retells the Greek myth of Persephone on one track and I'm quite fond of such retellings. Fishman proves skillful at it.
  
  "Surprised" rests on a simple melody and Fishman's sweet vocal.
  
  "If Not You" proves her talent. She delivers low swoops and high notes easily. The urgency recalls Ani DiFranco.
  
  "Frame" has her accusing:
  "You think I'm sweeter when I'm sad/You think I'm truer when I'm feeling bad".
  
  Fishman cuts to the core here and the minimal backing suits her. It's a fascinating debut.

• What the People Say [+ Show ]
  

  LPsound Orkestra of Quebec, Canada: "Like your voice...very special!" Portuguese Pirate: "You hav...LPsound Orkestra of Quebec, Canada: "Like your voice...very special!"
  
  Portuguese Pirate: "You have such a refreshing sound...you go girl..."
  
  Scottbox of Edmonton, Canada: "You have a beautiful style, the music is awesome!"
  
  Josh of Sweden: "You got a great set of songs and sing 'em well. The Pioneer and Jerusalem Calls are just terrific!"
  
  Uncle Carl of NYC: "I dig your voice; it's very soulful."
  
  Rhonda of Missouri: "You have a Fantastic Voice."
  
  Nestor Gurry of Brazil: "Great voice, nice style, you have what it takes!"
  
  Alex Cebe of Sao Paulo, Brazil: "...enjoyed your style a lot Tamara! Very original."
  
  Jimmie Luckey of Austin, Texas: "Tamara, totally diggin your tunes. You have a great sound."
  
  Moontan of NYC: "Tamara. Your voice is beautiful."
  
  gfire of Austin, Texas: "You kinda remind me of Laura Nyro, to be honest (I've always liked Laura Nyro)."
  
  
  

• After Performance [+ Show ]
  

  "Tamara's voice reaches every cavity of a club. Her lyrics compliment the heavy-folk groove, wrought..."Tamara's voice reaches every cavity of a club. Her lyrics compliment the heavy-folk groove, wrought with the primal epistle of survival and independence. These are classic songs which are timeless. In another place and time, "Tamara" would be as much a household name as Joan, Janice, or Patti…"

• Pure Energy [+ Show ]
  

  "No one we've seen in recent years compares to Tamara's pure energy and power. Upcoming singer/songw..."No one we've seen in recent years compares to Tamara's pure energy and power. Upcoming singer/songwriters (and many veterans we know) would do themselves a disservice not to experience Tamara live…"

• Unrivaled Voice [+ Show ]
  

  "Wow. Powerful, clean, memorable songs and an unrivaled voice are refreshing in this day and age of ..."Wow. Powerful, clean, memorable songs and an unrivaled voice are refreshing in this day and age of over-production. These songs stick in your head and there is no way to shake them…"

Setlist

45 minute original set list:

Afterglow
Frame
Persephone
A Part of the Mystery
So Pretty
If Not You
Surprised
Love You, Baby
Just Tonight
Good Day
Soul Clean

Can also be cut or expanded.

Basic Requirements

Calendar