When
it all comes down to it, Amber Lawrence, the award-winning singer-songwriter has
much to look forward to and be proud of - with news of her very first APRA nomination
and the impending launch of her highly anticipated second album 'When It All Comes
Down' (September 2009).
Amber, formerly a high-flying Accountant
for Qantas, was honoured to be in such fine company at the 2009 APRA Music Awards
for Country Work of the Year ("Good Girls"), alongside Sara Storer,
Adam Brand, Adam Harvey and eventual winners, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson,
at the glitzy awards ceremony in Melbourne in June.
As a kid
growing up with her sister and brother in the heart of Sydney, right next to the
airport at Mascot, Amber was more concerned with sport than music, being a promising
athlete in the NSW State Team. A future as a country music star was certainly
not seen as the most likely path. But sometimes, our paths are chosen for us,
and a chance purchase of a country album at the age of 19, set the city girl on
the road to musical success. She's just put the finishing touches to her second
album, 'When It All Comes Down', the release of which is sure to see Amber hit
greater heights.
There's so much to look forward to on the
album, starting with the very catchy first single, 'Don't Do Lonely Well', a sure-fire
radio hit. What happens when your partner goes away for work, or with his mates,
and the phone bill suddenly takes on gigantic proportions? Surely, he couldn't
be having a good time without you there! Then there's the title track, an emotional
song that asks the big life question: What does it all come down to? It was some
of life's tougher experiences - losing her beloved father only last year - that
helped this gifted young writer find the words to express such emotions in a song
that's sure to be relatable to many listeners.
How about the
tongue-in-cheek 'Women Like Me (Don't Like Girls Like You)', which will also be
a familiar story to ladies out there determined to hold onto their man. Amber
has written all of the songs on the album, and has some notable co-writing credits
on the album, including hit-makers Brooke McClymont and Clive Young. Recording
the album with Golden Guitar winning-producer Rod McCormack was a delight for
Amber, even though the year leading up to it had its share of joy and sorrow.
"Last
year was a year I didn't plan for," she said. "My dad got sick in February.
He'd come to the Golden Guitar Awards and saw me sing on the Awards show, but
when he came home from the festival he went straight to hospital for treatment."
"We all thought he could survive it, and every day, for five months, I'd
go to the hospital and sit and write. It was good because I'd play the songs I'd
written to Dad and get his feedback."
"Sadly, he
passed away six months before the album was produced, but he definitely had an
input into the song selection, so this is a really special album for me - a healing
album in a way." says Amber. The result is an album full of inspiration,
fun, and happiness. Amber certainly has a way with words, and her cheeky personality
and emotive vocals are what shines through on this album.
Amber's
first album, 'The Mile', took her much further than its name implied. In the space
of 12 months it propelled four consecutive singles into the Top 5 country radio
charts - 'Things That Bring Me Down', 'Gonna Fly', 'The Mile' and the third single,
'Good Girls', which hit the #1 position on both the radio and CMC video charts
- and stayed there for five weeks! Amber achieved two Golden Guitar nominations
(2008) for Female Artist of the Year and New Talent of the Year, and was the recipient
of four of the nine awards handed out at the Southern Stars Australian Independent
Country Music Awards in Mildura - an unprecedented achievement.
Amber
is also building a reputation as a reliable and glamorous awards show and radio
host - most recently hosting the Australian Independent Country Music Awards,
and filling in for John Nutting on his high-rating radio ABC national program,
Saturday Night Country. Amber has regularly appeared as a guest on TV programs
Sunrise, The Morning Show, Susie Show, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and the Channel
10 news, plus she's featured in key glossy publications Cosmopolitan and The Australian
Magazine.
Amber has performed at all the major festivals across
Australia including Tamworth, the Gympie Muster and the Deni Ute Muster and has
toured with artists including The McClymonts, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, and Melinda
Schneider. Amber's live performance is certainly one thing that sets her apart
from the rest of the pack. Amber also found time in her busy schedule to visit
East Timor with The McClymonts to play for the Australian troops. "It was
an absolute honour to be asked to sing for our troops. It certainly made me aware
of how tough their job is, and how lucky we are to live in Australia." Amber
said.
For the remainder of 2009 Amber is teaming with fellow
Country Music Association of Australia College graduate Travis Collins, whose
live shows are known for their excitement factor. They're taking this twice- the-
value package show on the road. So watch out at a venue near you for this double-barrelled
evening of exciting, new age country. Amber is proudly sponsored by Maton Guitars
Australia.
www.amberlawrence.com.au
/ www.myspace.com/amberlawrence1
'When It All Comes Down' is available now.
