Amee Chapman
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Amee Chapman

Santa Cruz, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1994 | SELF

Santa Cruz, California, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 1994
Band Americana Singer/Songwriter

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

Music

Press


"Best Bets September 2011"

Local singer-songwriter Amee Chapman refers to her full-throated take on Americana as "sagebrush soul," a fitting term for her earthy and textured approach. Proud daughter of a California that has gone astray, Chapman's working class background and her respect for the state's oft-forgotten rural denizens mark her as a songwriter with a distinctive voice. Chapman shows a refreshing willingness to push musical boundaries, referencing muscular rock & roll, the expansive sonic textures of Wilco and the faded beauty associated with her pal Jolie Holland's torch songs. Chapman is a brave artist who appears to be poised for bigger things. - Santa Cruz Weekly


"Review of "Still Life""

Chapman's songs and sound paint big sky backdrops on which she casts the shadows of various folk in tender moments of melancholy and hopefulness. - Milesofmusic.com


"SF Weekly"

Amee Chapman hits the bottle three times on her five-song, rock demo. Whiskey is a metaphor for those occasions when love leaves her dumbstruck. On the heartbreakingly poignant "Leavin' Me Today" she needs whiskey to curb the chill of a lover's sudden departure. On "Wishing Well" she takes a drink to quell the anticipation of a pending rendezvous. The reckless spirit of Jack Kerouac haunts "Down on South Lamar" as Chapman finds herself trading shots with a "band of orphaned hearts" in the Texas night, content, even as "California is closing in." Chapman's songs are superb; fearless, yet sentimental. Her band stands their ground, maintaining Live & Otherwise as a bold rock record. Chapman comes off like Lucinda Williams fronting Pearl Jam. - Dean Blaine


"February Edition of PureMusic.com"

'What a great record this is...One of my Top 10 CDs of 2004.' ~James Meyers - Puremusic.com


"Cafe du Nord Website"

Gaining an honest buzz in SF is Amee Chapman, a singer/songwriter with a voice that can melt polar ice caps. - Cafe du Nord Webmaster


"Great Review of Still Life"

Amee Chapman is a Northern California native steeped in the roots of American music. Her third release, Still Life, is a collection of beautiful, intimate sketches that tell tales of the lonely and wounded. These songs--co-written with Nichole Robbins and backed by a bevy of San Francisco musicians, including Mother Hips’ John Hofer and vocalist Jolie Holland--showcase Chapman’s versatile songwriting vision. She moves from the country waltz of “Softest Spots” and the quiet violin melodies of “Seaward Jack” to the Sheryl Crow sounds of “Tattoo Cowboy.” But it’s songs like “Still Life of a Man”--with its subtly abrasive, ambient Wilco-esque background--and the simple Mazzy Star-styled guitar lines of “Wishing Well” that show Chapman’s willingness to break from the traditional folksinger mold. - Sacramento News & Review


"Great Review of Still Life"

Amee Chapman is a Northern California native steeped in the roots of American music. Her third release, Still Life, is a collection of beautiful, intimate sketches that tell tales of the lonely and wounded. These songs--co-written with Nichole Robbins and backed by a bevy of San Francisco musicians, including Mother Hips’ John Hofer and vocalist Jolie Holland--showcase Chapman’s versatile songwriting vision. She moves from the country waltz of “Softest Spots” and the quiet violin melodies of “Seaward Jack” to the Sheryl Crow sounds of “Tattoo Cowboy.” But it’s songs like “Still Life of a Man”--with its subtly abrasive, ambient Wilco-esque background--and the simple Mazzy Star-styled guitar lines of “Wishing Well” that show Chapman’s willingness to break from the traditional folksinger mold. - Sacramento News & Review


Discography

"The Finish Line"-Limited Release, 1994
"Real" Debut LP-1996
"Still Life" LP Release October 2004
"Grace is Hell to Keep" LP Release -February 2013

Photos

Bio

With a voice that conveys both the brutal honesty of a changing California and the tender footed sweetness of its past, Amee Chapman maintains a meandering love affair with the roots of American music. Influenced by the likes of Lucinda Williams, Jeff Tweedy and Tim Bluhm, Chapman's music is simple yet woven with the complexities of folks who just don't always fit in.

Chapman began collaborating with co-writer Nichole Robbins in 2002 and pulled together her 3rd release, Still Life, from this collection. Recorded and released in 2004, the album garnered favorable reviews from both print and radio press. Backed by her band, Chapman's live shows are both whiskey sharp and dogwood tender. From wineries to popular small town and big city venues to big country festivals, the music is appreciated by all.

Chapman recently released Grace Is Hell to Keep, her fourth album, in February of 2013.

Meanwhile, ACVT will continue to carve a niche in the Americana scene. With a residency at The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, Amee hosted a very successful night called "Blazing Steels" which feature bands with pedal steel, lap steel or slide guitars.

Amee Chapman was awarded the Reader's Choice 2006 Sammie award (Sacramento Area Music Award) in the Country/Bluegrass Category. She has also shared the stage with the likes of Jolie Holland, Sean Hayes, Nathan Moore, The White Buffalo, Michelle Malone, Kristen Hall and the Stealing Angels.

Band Members