It’s no mystery that many a musician has a day job to keep the dream alive, but few of those gigs would make you envious. Wish you could spend your 9-5 spreading the gospel of rock and roll at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis and getting to meet Bill Murray at the same time? Ladies and gentlemen, meet the lucky lady that does just that, Ms. Amy LaVere: upright bassist, singer, tour guide and super fan of Bill Murray. When not promoting her fine country-rockabilly-gypsy infused second album, Anchors & Anvils, this down to earth gal finds this other touring life just as grand as being on the road. “I’m really proud of that job. It doesn’t get much better than getting to tell people the history of rock and roll.” And regarding celebrity encounters she can get as giddy as a teenage girl, “I’ve worked for a music venue outside of Michigan so I’ve seen a lot of celebrities and a lot of musicians and I’ve never been one to say, ‘Hey can I get your autograph?’, but with Bill Murray I really lost my mind.” LaVere gleefully continues, “He had on some Elvis sunglasses and gave me a big hug and his autograph. I just love him.”
One might not think she would have a thing for the funny guys based on the track “Killing Him,” a dark (and sexy) Twins Peak-ian tale of a woman that killed her lover so he wouldn’t leave her, but you would be dead wrong. As LaVere points out, “You know that sounds so dark on the recording, but live there’s a sense of humor. You can’t help but smirk when you’re saying things like, ‘She’d have to kill him to make him stay.’ It comes from very serious story but when you’re performing it you can’t take it that seriously.” Hey, it worked for Johnny Cash.
In her teens LaVere went though an angsty punk rock phase (“It just seemed to fit my mood better at that age!”) but her love of country always ran deep, and has stuck with her today. “I’m from a Texas/Louisiana border town. My mother sang country songs and played guitar, it definitely was part of my life.” LaVere continues, “I moved into a house with musicians and that is when I picked up the upright (bass). The upright just lends itself to country rockabilly music. I just fell in love with that stuff.” That aside, she is doing her best not pigeonhole herself. “When I sit down I write a sad country song. That’s what I do now, which has a lot to do with why I don’t like making a record of all my own stuff. I know what comes naturally as a performer but I’m more diverse than that,” says LaVere, explaining her covers of a diverse selection of artists including Carla Thomas (“That Beat”) and Bob Dylan (“I’ll Remember You”).
Not only has she proved that diversity in her music but also in the acting arena. In the last few years LaVere has landed small parts in big movies, including the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line (she played Wanda Jackson) and Black Snake Moan, directed by another Memphis resident, and LaVere fan, Craig Brewer. LaVere recalls, “Craig Brewer would see me a lot and wanted me to come and audition for a part that he thought I would fit.” LaVere explains, with disbelief, “I got the part and it was a blast!”
As much as she would like to continue to act she knows that music is her number one love. She humbly explains, “My life is so consumed with music and with what I’ve been doing my whole life. There are people out there that have put the same kind of effort into the craft of acting so there is a part of me that feels undeserving.” Alas, her bourgeoning acting career will have to stay in the backseat, as she’ll be spending the next year on the road. Of course, that is more than fine with our accidental hyphenate, “This is what I’ve always wanted to do. This is the lifestyle I wanted, so getting the opportunity to be on the road is a great time. Now I just need a road hobby.” Hey, maybe she can kill some time on the road by dropping by rock museums like her pal Bill Murray. The way her star is rising she is bound to make a few guides giddy too.
--Erika Clarke
Photo: Crackerfarm
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Amy LaVere's Anchors & Anvils is out now on Archer Records.
http://www.myspace.com/amylavere
