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debut solo album

"The Way to the Water"
"...a bold examination, both outward and inward, that delves deep into such universal themes as.... the search for truth and satisfaction ...Sparse instrumentation, lush and intimate, focuses the attention on West's voice, gorgeous, selfless and emotive."

To buy a CD in person (Amanda's preference) please see SHOWS page.

To order CD's directly from Amanda West Music, please see CONTACT page.

To order CD's online please visit: www.cdbaby.com/amandawest

For more information please write to:

thank you for supporting independent artists!

Amanda West is a human being who likes to think about life, experience emotions, express herself in writing, and sing. She is not a web designer, bookkeeper, publicist, booking agent, manager, producer, songwriter, musician or artist, a success, or a failure, though she often feels like she is. Really, she is just a human. And she knows as much and as little about that, and is as graceful and clumsy at it, as anyone else. To remind herself of this, Amanda shares her musical musings in the hope of breaking down walls between hearts, and encountering the true nature behind our complicated and exquisite shared humanity.

What's New Around Here:

6-30-09

		I just turned 27. I'm not sure if that's getting pretty old, or still quite young. I think it might be both.
		Tomorrow Pete and I hit the road for our first joint tour. I am so excited to visit everyone along the way
		and to get in some more good traveling this summer. I had a delicious time in Santa Fe. I was surprised at the
		number of people I knew there - I managed to get quite a little crowd out to the Aztec Cafe! (Thanks guys!) I also
		spent a lot of time in art galleries, soaking up the energies of beautiful creations and returned home very inspired.
		
I feel my past year and half of mad show playing (i.e. a great abundance of it!) winding down, and I am certainly
		feeling a pull towards spending more time DOING my art than promoting it (which unfortunately is not the case at the moment). 
		So I hope you can enjoy the fruits of my labor in the next couple weeks somewhere along the Pacific Coast, or perhaps I'll
		see you in Big Sur in August for Womansong. Don't forget your sunscreen!
		
6-11-09

		Well certainly the most exciting thing for me recently was opening for one of my most favorite bands, 
		Rebecca Riots, at THE Freight and Salvage in Berkeley - my 15-year-old self's dream come true! The house 
		was packed (a sold out show) so... yes, that was pretty awesome. And then, there is so much else going on! I am 
		leaving for New Mexico in a few days, then the "Yakima N' Back" tour in July is just about solidified,
		and I've finally got the line-up of performers for Womansong in Big Sur in August. This is a summer full of shows
		and I hope to see you soon! If I miss you this summer, it may be a while, for in the Fall I head into
		the recording studio again... 
		 		
4-26-09

		As time goes on, it feels like we all have more and more technology, and fewer and fewer true interactions
		among ourselves. And they call me a luddite when I say this, but this is how I feel. So I encourage you, 
        if you have found my website, please peruse, but don't stay too long. Find my next show, and come to it!
		I don't want to talk to you on facebook and myspace and through emails, each of us alone in front of our
		computer screens; I want to be able to look into your eyes and smell the cup of tea sitting between us. I want
		to hear your laugh and have you feel the energy coming from my Being as I sing to you...  
		 		
3-14-09

		Finding myself feeling a bit weary and overwhelmed when it comes to all I expect myself to do...
		The lists I write... Trying to pull back and see the bigger picture, realize that sometimes it's ok for the details to 
		fall through the cracks, so long as the things which really matter in life are being attended to - 
		staying true to my heart, keeping mortality in mind. Life is too short to be unhappy. 
		 		
2-15-09

		Happy Birthday to "The Way to the Water"! Today is the one year anniversary of the release
		of my debut solo album. Can you believe it? Of course, this got me thinking about all the wonderful
		folks we've encountered during its first year out in the world. In celebration, and as a huge thank-you
		to everyone who has played a part in this baby's life so far,  "The Way to the Water"  will 
		only be $10	per CD for the next month. Only catch is, you have to wish it happy birthday :-)
		
1-17-09

		Welcome to 2009! I am grateful that the dust from the holidays seems to have settled
		at last. I've had some time for organizing, clearing out, and starting the new year with a 
		clean slate. Setting my sights on a Spring tour, summer festivals, and... most exciting of all,
		formulating visions for a new album! If I have any kind of sanity or consciousness about me,
		I can't help but be amazed at this life I lead - pursuing my dreams! What a trip.
		 
12-11-08

		Recently my mother shared an article with me about Bhutan's economic system (Bhutan is a little country
		near Nepal and India). While here in the U.S. we measure GNP (Gross National Product), since the 1970's
		in Bhutan, they have measured GNH (Gross National Happiness). For real! Imagine, looking at businesses
		and organizations and jobs and measuring their worth not by how much stuff they create, or how much profit they make,
		but by how much they add to the psychological, ecological, spiritual and social health of a nation. Wow. 
		Now that is radical.

		2008 has been a huge year for me. I've set my focus in life to contributing to the GNH and I have to say,
	    it's a pretty awesome way to spend one's time. In a few more months, my baby, "The Way to the Water", will
		be a year old! I am filled with gratitude for all the folks who have helped me and supported me in this past year,
		and who continue to do so. Loving thoughts with the Winter Solstice, as the light begins to return to 
		the world, and many blessings for a full and healthy 2009. 
		
11-5-08

		Today we wake to a new world, after joyful celebrations in the streets. I know no single person can be the answer
		to all the troubles we face, but he can make much brighter the light of hope that we carry. And the future is looking
		very bright... 

		So the tour was wonderful. I found challenges in questions of money, goals, intentions ... the same sort
		of questions which arise whenever you choose a path and start walking down it with persistance. But Ariel
		and I met so many new wonderful people, and I was just completely overwhelmed by the kindness of our
		hosts along the way. Art (music, creativity) is such a wonderful thing to pursue because it allows me to 
		intereact with the best in people all the time! I am very lucky. I return home inspired and excited, ready to book and
		play lots more shows, and meet many many more folks :-) 

		Surprisingly, I also find myself looking forward to the winter months ahead, the season for nesting,
		spending time with loved ones, and continuously honoring the cycle of the earth, and of life. Don't forget: 
		CD's of independant artists make PERFECT holiday gifts! (hint, hint) :-) 

		Happy wintering! And happy new world.
		
9-10-08

I'm going on tour!!!  Fellow Santa-Cruzian Songstress, Ariel Thiermann and I have been working
				for the past few months to put together a tour which will take us down the West Coast of California.
				We are approaching it as an experiment, to feel out these towns, meet some new people, discover
				some new venues, and continue expanding our musical experiences. 

				 Please join us for the kick-off show on Friday October 10th at the Cayuga Vault  in our home town of Santa Cruz.
				  Also, make sure to check out our tour schedule (see SHOWS page) and send your Southern friends our way! 
				  You can read more about my amazing touring comparion at: www.arielsong.com. See you on the road...
		
7-30-08

		In relation to rising gas prices, global warming, and the health of us all, think about this: 

"...the job of our time is to hospice the death of the old unsustainable systems and structures
		and to midwife the birth of new sustainable systems and new ways of being."(Lynne Twist, The Soul of Money)

		Whoa. Are you doing your part? Am I?
		
7-15-08

		I was asked to play a friend's party last Saturday. I've just moved to a new house, I'd been out
		of town for a week with no time to unpack, I was feeling overwhelmed, and anything
		but in a party mood. But when I arrived, settled behind the mic and began to sing, my headache disappeared,
		I relaxed. My worries and troubles floated away, outshone by the present moment, what I was doing, and who was
		around me. I felt connected, calm, and grounded, like I was doing exactly what I should be doing, the only thing that
		makes sense. Over and over again I am reminded how much I love music and love doing this in the world.
		I thank you, as a reader, a listener, and/or a fan, for allowing me such pleasure and joy!

6-3-08

		Hooray! I think summer is here. And goodness is my summer booked up already! I've got SO many great
		shows on the near horizon. Still sellin' those CD's, and writing all those emails...
		Looking forward to (and already enjoying) the increased abundance of fresh fruit and veggies
		at the farmer's markets... I love living in California. Plans for a SoCal tour this fall are in the works, I'll keep you posted.
		Check out the upcoming shows, and come say hello very soon!  p.s. don't forget your sunscreen :-)

4-28-08

		So I'm beginning to think it's a bit insane what I am attempting to do - be my own booking agent,
		manager, publicist, accountant, web designer, producer, writer, editor, and everything else and 
		in between. Not to mention, trying to maintain something of a personal life, which, since that's 
		where songwriting inspiration comes from, is something I must continue to nurture as well. Volunteers for marketing
		assistance are always welcome, though I realize, most of us are probably in need of marketing assistance.
		Because of the capitalist society we live in, this is what we
		all do all the time - sell ourselves, in the hopes of bringing in some money in the hopes of creating
		comfort that will nurture us, allowing us to BE. I think. Hmmm, isn't life interesting? 
			
4-2-08

		Adjusting into the mindset of marketing is a whole new experience in itself... Bleary eyes in front
		of a computer screen... Who ever thought being a musician would be so much about the internet!
		It is also so much about self awareness, and a constant re-discovery of intentions... 
		Thank you for staying connected. More thoughts soon to come.
			
2-25-08

		I am a puddle of gratitude with overwhelming thanks for all those who participated in the CD release
		concert - those who helped put up fliers, wrote newspaper articles, had me on their radio show, joined me on the stage,
		baked cookies, worked the door, showed up in the audience, wrote emails, gave me hugs and smiles, and listened
		and believed and supported... you are all amazing. This is not a thing to be done alone. 
		The show was a grand success with a sold-out house and a lovely evening celebrating the final birth of this	baby of mine!
		And now, settling down from the flurry of the release, comes the next challenge - how to get all these CD's out of my bedroom and into the world...
 
1-31-08

		So they're really here. At last, in my hands. One year ago I was just beginning my sessions in the studio,
		with no idea really what I was getting myself into. It has been a long and incredible
		year, and I am so happy to say, I am quite pleased with the outcome! A little overwhelmed. What a journey...
		And in ways, this is just the beginning of a much larger experience... I am so grateful to all those
		who have helped and supported me along the way (is that so cliched and obvious I don't even need to write it?)
		Anyway, I am now completely consumed in trying to make this release party happen, so I hope you all can be there! See you soon... 
		 
1-15-08

		Running around like mad, trying to do Everything (yes, with a capital E) before my plane takes off for Seattle... get everything aligned and ready
		for my RELEASE SHOW! I am so excited! Trying also to not take it all TOO seriously... it's only life afterall, and what's it for
		if not for loving and enjoying. As I anxiously wait for my CD's to arrive in the mail, I have a new and wonderful distraction -
		a piano! The universe (in the form of a special human) has gifted me a piano. It's old, funky, out-of-tune, but I LOVE it!
		A new friend, and who knows... perhaps some new songs ;-) 
		 
12-20-07

		So I just got another press write-up! This one in the local paper, The Santa Cruz Metro. You can
		see the full article on my "press" page. I think I was compared to a crepe and called "mouth watering"...?! Hmmmm.
		But well, they say any press is good press, and "flowing prose and intricate melodies" sounds good to me. 

		P.S. Happy Solstice to all! We made it to the darkest time of year... The light returns from here on out... :-) 

11-19-07

		Thank you, thank you to all who came out last night for the show at the Cayuga Vault. It was a very special evening
		and I am so grateful for all your support. My album is SO so so close! Just a few more pushes and this baby will be out!
		AND, I think this website is just about ready to be publicly announced... do let me know if you find any glitches :-)

		I have been making it a practise each day to list all I am grateful for, not because it is thanksgiving season, but because 
		if I sit there thinking about all the wonderful things in my life, I can't help but begin to tingle with joy and contentment. 
		It's a good way to start the day :-)

10-22-07

		This website is in its beginning stages. My first solo studio album, "The Way to the Water", will debue very soon, and I sensed
		a need for an online presence other than myspace. So here it is. And like all things, it will change, expand, and evolve.
		So keep watching.

{web design by JAHJAM Productions � 2007}

please send website comments to: web@amandawestmusic.com