Happy Birthday Amy

"We are really tired of those labels and questions," says guitarist, co-founder and producer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. "Concept album? How can any project that takes up most of your life for a year not have a concept? Prog? How can any innovative, forward-thinking art or music not be progressive? It reminds me of when I first heard the word "Emo." How can anything you put your heart and soul into not be emotional?"
The above statement was made by Omar of The Mars Volta. As to his comments, well:
We totally agree.
***Video is from WE FEST ....Wilmington, NC. May 26, 2007. "Mystery Scars"Here are some things people have said about us. (you can view the full reviews in our blogs section.)
February 2007-Happy Birthday Amy
"Much like the crucial ingredients of your average birthday cake, the three confect perfectly to create a unique, playful, witty, and progressive brand of indie pop. Amy's jumpy piano style, reminiscent of a Broadway show tune, bounces over intricate rhythms while shw belsts out charming and insightful lyrics with a style that's both seductive and haunting." -City At Night article written by Seth Graves, Valentine's issue of City at Night
' " 'Happy Birthday Amy is going to take over Nashville.” The writing on the wall proved to be more than drunk speculation, as the trio churned out jaunty, often Regina Spektor-esque tunes for a seated and attentive crowd, a rare animal at this venue. Lead singer Amy Smith wailed through a wall of smoke, and during those weird-in-a-good-way a cappella breaks in songs, you could even hear a beer can drop." -The Spin section of The Nashville Scene, February 14, 2007.
"It may not have been her birthday, but she was the center of attention, and it sure was a party. Amy Smith, lead vocalist and keys player for rising Nashville indie-pop trio Happy Birthday Amy, could not draw eyes better if she glowed in the dark. And at times during their set at Springwater, it almost seemed like she did.There is something very powerful and naturally sensual about her vocal style, something that blends the vocal fluttering of Joanna Newsom and the strength of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O. But it's the layering of HBA's sound that really makes it work, from Amy's soaring, flurrying vocals to her pounding, melodic key work, from Miles Cramer's vigorous drums to Dillon's speedy bass lines. Springwater may be a dive, but the musicians onstage were nothing short of professional. Happy Birthday Amy opened with a new song, "Machines," near the end of which all instrumentation stopped; it was then just Amy, and then Dillon, and then Cramer, singing in rounds a capella, and the audience was transfixed. Throughout much of the set, Cramer seemed to be in his own drumming trance, rolling his head back with closed eyes, his arms crashing down on his kit. Though too professional to let such energy alter the tempo or spoil the sonic balance, HBA's goal was clear and achieved: tell a good story, lyrically and musically, but don't forget it's a party."-Review by Kat Amano, Southeast Performer Magazine-April 2007
Here are some photographers that we recommend, click on their name to check out their work.........more will be added !
J. Anne Photography
Jonathon Kingsbury
*******All friends on the list are true and honest requests from other people on myspace. HBA only asks those who've already asked or those we know to be apart of this. We like to note who are true fanbase is and ask to keep the emails away that promote using a "friend additive."