Amanda Garrigues

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Amanda Garrigues was born in the southern college town of Gainesville, Florida. In the music that she writes and performs, she pays tribute to the themes of home, family and the human condition. From the time she was a young girl, Amanda absorbed her love of music through her father, an accomplished singer and guitarist who played campfire songs to her while she sang along. Born and raised in the Methodist church, her family attended every Sunday, where the traditional hymns of the church choir sheof the church choir she sang in further inspired her to want to create and perform her own music.While a student at the University of Florida, she acted as singer/frontwoman for progressive folk band, Big Shoals Tract and quickly established herself as one of the most popular and endearing women in the Gainesville music scene. During her time in Big Shoals Tract, Amanda met Lynda Stipe (Michael's sister) and her band, the eclectic Athens, Georgia-based, Hetch-Hetchy, whom she briefly toured with as a back-up singer. When BST disbanded, she decided it was time to focus more on her own songwriting and guitar playing.Amanda's debut CD Spirit Act was released in the Fall of 1998 on her own label, Average Sinner Records. Since that time, she has toured the Southeast and Northeast consistently, sharing the stage with such artists like Jonatha Brooke, Danielle Howle, Michelle Malone and Ferron. In 2000, she released Groundswell, which highlighted a new brand of songwriting: one that is stronger, riskier and more focused. Amanda's credits include receiving an honorable mention for the Indie Band Search 2001 and being a semi-finalist in the E.A.R.S Talent Showcase in NYC in March 2001. She has also been invited to showcase at Nashville's NEA Extravaganza, the Atlantis Music Conference, NEMO in Boston and the Rockrgrl Music Conference in Seattle. In 2002 the song "I Cannot Be Brave" was nominated for a Just Plain Folks Award.Amanda extended her touring base to include the Midwest where she has become a favorite on the college circuit. In 2003 she was nominated for "Female Artist of the Year" at Campus Awards.com. Amanda also worked with S.W.A.T - Students Working Against Tobacco at their 2003 conference where she focused on self-expression, songwriting and the creative process.In her spare time, Amanda pursues her love of acting. Her most recent credit was in the independent film, "Words", set to premier in the Fall of 2004. "Four Songs for You" is Amanda's newest cd, a 4-song set, released on her own self-run label, Average Sinner Records. "Fashion" and "Movie Star" are stark and moving gems that slide off the record, right into your heart.Amanda is one of those rare artists who speaks to you in a voice that gives compassion and registers pain. Whether you are listening to Amanda from the comfort of your couch or from the back of a smoke-filled club, you know immediately that you are the recipient of a gift.