Alana Amram and the Rough Gems
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Alana Amram and the Rough Gems

New York City, New York, United States | INDIE

New York City, New York, United States | INDIE
Band Americana Rock

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


""...we'll all be seeing a lot more of this up and coming star..."

"...I have a real good feeling that we'll all be seeing a lot more of
this up and coming star. The next time you go see Lucinda or Gillian on
tour, you might see Amram filling in an opening slot." - TRIPWIRE


""...They'll knock you on your ass..."

I saw Alana Amram & The Rough Gems at Southpaw a few months back. Holy Cow. They'll knock you on your ass. So friggin' good. - BROOKLYN VEGAN


""...a breath of fresh air..."

Rounded out by a cast of first rate local performers, the Rough Gems are a versatile vehicle for her most country-influenced effort to date. Amram's jangly acoustic guitar and reverb-kissed melodies recall the best elements of the Byrds-era California country rock.

But the good news doesn't stop there. Amram eschews worshiping at the altar of Gram & Emmylou in favor of tapping into subtler folk influences like Fred Neil and John Prine. In an age when the name "Gram Parsons" appears in 90% of all press kits, that's a breath of fresh air. - NO CASH NO HANK NO MERLE


""...a diamond in the rough..."

"...Amram's country heart makes her a diamond in the rough amid the
bright lights of the Brooklyn skyline. - ROCK INSIDER


""...an amazing songwriter..."

"...an amazing songwriter who writes spare, pretty songs that come with a
world-weariness and wisdom that stays with you long after first
blush..." - MINN POST


""...a gift for quirky romantic imagery..."

"...graceful, intelligent country-pop. She’s got a clear, arresting
voice and a gift for quirky romantic imagery." - TIME OUT NY


""...the real deal..."

"...the real deal... an effortlessly captivating performer, with a
beautiful, affectation-free voice. It's almost astonishing that her
songs haven't already existed for decades." - LIME WIRE BLOG


""...we'll all be seeing a lot more of this up and coming star..."

"...I have a real good feeling that we'll all be seeing a lot more of
this up and coming star. The next time you go see Lucinda or Gillian on
tour, you might see Amram filling in an opening slot." - TRIPWIRE


Discography

7 Inch Single - Alana Amram 2008 Rootsville Records
E.P. - Self Titled - E.P. 2008 Zealous Records
L.P. - Painted Lady 2010 - deal in the works
L.P. - Songs of Vince Martin 2010 - Ezzie Films, deal in the works

Photos

Bio

Alana Amram, is a Brooklyn based singer/ songwriter/ record collector who has toured internationally since 2003 with her band the Rough Gems. As a bass player she is a member of the band Lights (Drag City.) She has played bass with Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black and The Fame.

Alana Amram and the Rough Gems are finishing up their first LP of original material PAINTED LADY with producer Jesse Lauter (The Low Anthem.) They are simultaneously releasing their second LP, SONGS OF VINCE MARTIN. Produced by Mark Sebastian (Loving Spoonful) and Jesse Lauter.

Through Alana's passion for finding lost songs, she developed a strong creative collaboration with some of New York's old guard folk and rock pioneers. From this, she draws on the sound and sentiment once vital to the soundscape of urban and country life's collision.

Her heroes have always been cowboys; women like Annie Oakley and poets like Vachel Lindsay. Being on the on the road since she born, her heart has always been that of a wandering troubadour. Because of her love of classic films, many of her songs invoke vivid cinematic imagery and Verité stories of true life grit and endless American landscapes.

Amram comes from a huge music family, often seen sitting in with the band. She has garnered a reputation for her classic songwriting. The Rough Gems - a collective of the finest players to come to town- range from deep tradition to wild psychedelic honky- tonk.

They are currently the subject for the feature length documentary Sound of Asphalt; a portrait of New York music.