Tonight at The House of Blues on Sunset, JP, Chrissie, and the Fairground Boys are playing. While I’m definitely intrigued by this collaboration between Welsh singer JP Jones and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, I’m really going because of the opening act. Amy Correia is a folksy singer-songwriter from Lakeville, MA. I stumbled upon Amy several years ago. My mother was in town for a visit and I wanted to take her to a show. None of my favorite bands were playing so we took a gamble and went to Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville, PA where Amy happened to be playing.

Amy’s unique voice, personable in between song banter, and tunes that were the perfect amalgamation of story and catchy melody were captivating.  The song I remember most from that evening was “Gin”.  Amy was slightly taken aback when two young girls requested the tune, a tale of an alcohol-induced one night stand.  Turns out “Gin” became one of my favorites as well. There is something about Amy’s voice that makes everything she sings somehow tinged with sadness and longing; perfect for songs about mothers lost to prison, blind river boys, or any place, person or thing that as acquired some sort of nostalgic value.

I used to see Amy every time she came to town, but I haven’t had that opportunity in years. I was thrilled to see she was going to be in LA this week…and that she has a new CD (You Go Your Way) released this year. I am very much looking forward to hearing what she’s been up to over the last few years…from what I gather the title of the new disc is indicative of her leaving her label and becoming yet another musician to take the DYI approach to recording music.

So, check out some of Amy Correia’s music and then make your way down to The House of Blues tonight to see Amy warm up the crowd for JP, Chrissie, and The Fairground Boys. It’ll be a good night!

~ Kristen