Amy Lashley is an Atlanta-based artist who writes and performs original material and, with influences ranging from traditional finger-style techniques to more modern and percussive folk, she is fast developing her own style of folk music. Her lyrics, delivered with a soft and passionate voice, center around not only her own life experience, but other's experiences as seen through her eyes.
With a high school band director for a father, Amy found herself surrounded by classical music from an early age. Growing up in this environment encouraged her to excel on the trumpet (her first instrument of choice), eventually leading her down a long path toward her current standing as a guitarist and performing songwriter. The disciplines cultivated through her experience as an accomplished classical musician have made it easy for her to apply classical theory and musicianship to her current approach of songwriting.
In 2003, after becoming increasingly interested in the world of modern folk music, Amy decided to try her hand at the acoustic guitar. She immediately fell in love with the instrument and, of her newfound passion, says "It's really become an obsession. My day never feels balanced if I don't start it off with a cup of coffee, NPR, and my guitar." Once it was made evident to her that the guitar was a talent she wished to pursue further, the art of songwriting is what came next in her musical progression. Regarding her influences, Amy remarks that "Musicians such as Ani Difranco, Ellis Paul, and Antje Duvekot have all had a huge influence on my music, and I hope it shows."
Having recently released her first professionally recorded demo, "Verbal Tea," Amy is looking forward to beginning work on a full length album in December 2007. Currently, she frequents the stages of some of Atlanta's premier acoustic venues and intends to branch out to other southeastern venues this coming spring. Her most recent appearances include her participation in Ladyfest South 2007, numerous "Art Amok" events, and a featured performer at the Atlanta Word Diversity Collective's semi-regular multidisciplinary art party. When it comes to her motivations for being an performing singer-songwriter, Amy professes, "Writing my own music, giving a voice to my feelings... this has helped me to find myself in a very real way. I hope that it will help to do the same for someone else."