5am Studios News Story

New Record from Amy Cook Is Now Available on Marfa Records

Recorded at 5am Studios with Austin's best and brightest talent the new album entitled The Sky Observer’s Guide is now available.

Amy Cook recently relocated to Texas from Los Angeles, where she was one of the early singer-songwriters on the Hotel Café scene. Her songs having appeared in a variety of television shows and films (including Laguna Beach, The L Word, Veronica Mars, Dawson’s Creek, Felicity and the Emmy award winning documentary Amargosa among others) her 2005 release on Marfa Records, The Bunkhouse Recordings, began a new chapter in her career.

She wrote and recorded a raw, stripped down acoustic record, one that would define and refine her style, and that critics called buoyant and delightful. Up next – two new releases: a full-length record, The Sky Observer’s Guide, recorded by esteemed producer, Jamie Myerson, and a reissue of The Bunkhouse Recordings with 2 new live tracks. In March of 2007 a highly-anticipated collaboration between Myerson and Cook, an EP for the project Fine Day for Flying will be released.

While her last record featured Amy alone with her guitar under the desert night sky, The Sky Observer’s Guide showcases Amy’s brilliant band, with Nina Singh (David Garza, Future Clouds and Radar) on drums, Brad Rice (Son Volt, Tift Merritt) on guitar, and Bobby Daniel on bass. The compelling production by Myerson is simultaneously lush and gritty, mysterious and honest. As opposed to overtaking the songs, in Myerson’s capable hands, the production allows the lyrics and melodies to shine. Tosca performs a memorable string arrangement written by Stephen Barber for the song “Feathers to a Crown.”

The record was made in collaboration with visual artist Amy Adler, who photographed and subsequently drew portraits of Cook as she composed songs through the summer of 2006. The record release and art opening was celebrated at a release party at the Aspen Museum of Art.

Find out more about Amy Cook and her incredible new album recorded at 5am Studios: Amy Cook Music