Amy Kuney
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, Bird's eye view (2008)
See also:
Amy Kuney's site
Comparisons:
Fiona Apple, Paula Cole
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Amy Kuney is a young, very gifted performer who writes smart songs. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Bird's eye view
Recordings:
- Amy Kuney ep (2006)
- Bird's eye view (2008)
Amy Kuney ep
Release info:
2006—Spin Move Records—SMCD1002
Availability:
See Amy Kuney's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Amy Kuney—vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
Guest artists:
Peter A Barker—acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, keyboards
John David—electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Paul Marshall—bass
David Raven—drums
Voyce McGinley, III—percussion
Jim Studer—Wurlitzer, piano
Cary Altshuler—organ
Andrea Robinson, Clydene Jackson, Kate E. Oly, Deanna D'Amico-White—backing vocals
Harvey Estrada—acoustic bass
Chad Watson—acoustic bass
Jeff Taylor—drums
Mandi Martin—backing vocals
Melissa Kaplan—acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Marcy Vaj—string arrangement, violin, viola
Vahe Hayrikian—cello
Produced by:
Peter A. Barker & Mandi Martin
Comments:
Amy Kuney's debut ep feels very confident for a newcomer. She has the voice to pull off most songs and her ability to pen strong songs is apparent. Her soulful singing recalls Fiona Apple with shades of early Paula Cole. The jazzy strains of "Sore Loser" stand out to me. The closing "Breaking bad habits" is pretty droll. "I'm breaking bad habits and you're the first one to go" she sings.
Kuney's made a great little ep. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Bird's eye view
Release info:
2008—Spin Move Records—SMCD1004
Availability:
See Amy Kuney's site
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Amy Kuney—vocals, piano, acoustic guitar
Guest artists:
Scott Seiver—drums, vibraphone, piano, Wurlitzer, Mellotron, analog synthesizer, electric guitar, glockenspiel, acoustic guitar, melodica, backing vocals
Josh Lopez—electric guitar
Shawn Davis—electric bass
Marisa Kuney—violin (10)
Mona Tavakoli—cajon (10)
Ben Wendel—soprano saxophone (2)
Chuck Koontz—tuba (2)
Azusa Pacific University Choir—backing vocals (7)
Hayden Lasher—backing vocals (7)
Ari Heist—acoustic guitar, backing vocals (8)
Produced by:
Scott Seiver
Comments:
Amy Kuney follows her strong debut ep with a full-length that really satisfies. She's a terrific singer and songwriter and this round of songs is insightful. "Simple Things" celebrates life without seeming trite; Kuney's vocals are soulful and sincere. "Angel tangled in the telephone wire" is a lovely song, with a shade of Fiona Apple's expressiveness in the delivery and a complex arrangement. "Love is trippy" is richly orchestrated without being smothered by it all, and The Beatles influence works well. Kuney's matured nicely as an artist and lives up to her early promise. She should be able to make many albums like this. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to stjarnell@yahoo.com for her work on this entry.
