Born into a musical family of guitarists, vocalists, songwriters, drummers, you name it, Amy Cunningham has had a lifelong love affair with music.
She began singing at the age of two and writing and performing at 12. Mixed with solid lyrical expression, melodies that soothe and excite, she shares messages that speak to the masses about growth, change, and often eco-centric concepts.
This July, Cunningham released her debut album, To the Stars We’ll Return, produced by gifted multi-instrumentalist Corwin Fox (Morlove, Scott Dunbar) of Cumberland.
To the Stars is already garnering attention from Canadian press, with praise for Amy’s accessible lyrical approach and the power behind her songs. Jason Gladu (Stage Door Review) shares that, “At the very heart of this project are Cunningham’s heart-to-heart writing style that is so easy to identify with.”
Her music is a mix of soul, rhythm, folk-pop-country, with upbeat songs to move to, slower ballads and soft lullabies. Armed with a cast of some of B.C.’s most talented musicians, the high-calibre musicianship on To the Stars creates “a warm undertone that recalls the best of the mid-70s heyday of B.C. West Coast folk rock.”(Dean Gordon-Smith — Vernon Morning Star)
Cunningham is touring to support the album, travelling solo in her van, which now holds the entirety of her earthly possessions.
“I love it,” says Cunningham. “I get to meet so many amazing people every day. I’m encouraged by conversations … people know that a lot of things aren’t working out there, and many are starting to get involved and change their lives … at the end of the day, a lot of people care.
"As much as it’s about music, these conversations are also what it's about for me.”
Tour dates include August on the west coast of the United States and back up through B.C. in September. This will be followed by a cross-Canada tour in the fall, a stint in Nashville in November, and a six-week tour in Japan to kick off 2012.
If you are interested in hearing some of Cunningham’s original music, you can catch her set, along with other local talent Paul Rodgers on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Flying Canoe West Coast Pub at the Westerly Hotel.
You can also listen to her music and read more at http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Amy-Cunningham or www.amycunningham.ca.
— Amy Cunningham