AMANDA RICHARDS
Bohemian Country Songstress
www.myspace.com/amandarichardsband
www.cdbaby.com/all/amandarichards
www.amandarichards.net 
 
About Amanda Richards
Amanda is currently recording her 3rd album due to release this fall. 
Here are some of her recent accomplishments: 3rd place in a 
NATIONAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS– FAMECAST!--- Made a music 
video with the directors of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS--- Headlined Portland's 
ALADDIN THEATER with 500+ in attendance--- Been featured on NPR's 
RIVER CITY FOLK in a 1 hour long interview--- Had her song "Words" 
featured on AIR AMERICA RADIO'S "Randi Rhodes Show"--- 
A Grandfather who sang Tenor for 18 years with the SONS OF THE 
PIONEERS--- Released 2 FULL LENGTH ALBUMS --- PLACED 2ND in a 
Songwriting competition held by the OREGON SYMPHONY--- Was a 
semi-finalist in an INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION --- 
Performed at OVER 100 VENUES in the Pacific Northwest--- Received 
GREAT REVUES from local and national writers--- Written OVER 
150 SONGS--- Studied music at Mt. Hood Community College--- 
Written songs for local THEATER groups and NON-PROFIT 
organizations including the TILLAMOOK RAINFOREST COALITION 
and GRESHAM LITTLE THEATER.
 
"This rising local songwriter has a voice that commands instant attention 
— alternately clear, cutting, gritty, sultry and full of longing" 
~ Barbara Mitchell, Portland Tribune
 
"Richards has a bluesy, dark-hued voice; it can soar with unbridled passion, 
or melt into 3 a.m. melancholia" 
~ Michael Sutton, cdreviews.com
 
1. Name your influences and why?
I have so many influences I couldn't possibly name them all but here's a few: 
Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, 
Tracy Chapman, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, my Aunts, my Grandpa, my Dad, 
my Mom, Pat Benetar, Laura Branigon, the list goes on. I can really identify with 
the songwriters of the group. Even the folks that do covers can channel the music 
so well that they own it, it's their song and I love that!
 
2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
If I could open up for any band passing through Portland right now it would 
definitely be Calexico. They are by far my favorite touring band and I think 
that our sounds would compliment each other so well
 
3. What songs do you cover and why ?
I don't do very many covers any more. Actually, that's not entirely true. It's not that 
I don't do covers, it's just that I'm not learning any new ones. The folks that I do cover are: 
Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Pat Benetar, Janis Joplin… pretty much the same folks that 
I listed as influences. My favorite song to cover right now is "Always on my Mind" by Willie Nelson
 
4. Who do you get told you sound like ?
I get told I sound like every female artist out there. The latest and most far reaching comparison 
was 'Christina Aguilera.' But I get the "Jewel" comparison all the time, it's actually kind of annoying. 
The last time I played with Skip VonKuske, he said I played guitar like Jobim and sang like Dolly Parton. 
I think it was a compliment?
 
5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone should go see.
The latest and greatest show I've seen lately was the Blue Cranes. Their mostly instrumental jazz 
but their energy is great and the show was very engaging.
 
Tell us what you are up to these days.
I have so many shows coming up but I'm very excited to play Imbibe on June 27th. I love this room. 
I'm trying to keep my myspace updated regularly so folks can see the when's and where's of my schedule. 
I am also currently recording my third album with a hopeful release date in October.
 
Tell us about the song you are giving us.
The Balls Song
Here's a little snipit from my album. Keep in mind that this is unmixed and is no where near the final 
stages of production. Right now we're tentatively calling it "The Balls Song." I was feeling a little 
vengeful at the time I wrote this song and was wanting to even the score with a few ex-boyfriends. 
So I funneled my energy into this sadistic little masterpiece.
 
See Amanda live at one of these shows !!
 
June, 6 2008 08:00 PM - Pine Street Bistro
June, 7 2008 03:00 PM - Mosier Cherry Festival
June, 12 2008 08:15 PM - Macadam's Bar & Grill
June, 14 2008 08:00 PM - Blaze Jose
June, 27 2008 09:30 PM - Imbibe
June, 30 2008 07:00 PM - McMenamin's Edgefield- Little Red Shed