Shoshana Ami

I grew up in Brooklyn, the daughter of a concert pianist with 3 older siblings who are musicians. Besides hearing classical music constantly, I listened to the albums my siblings left behind – from The Beatles & Jimi Hendrix to Miles, Ella, and Coltrane. I bought my first electric guitar at Manny’s on 48th street when I was 14, and taught myself Led Zeppelin riffs. I began experimenting with my own music, all the while playing flute in orchestras all over New York City. I got lost somewhere in there and instead of playing my own music I began dating musicians while modeling. After I hit that proverbial bottom I moved away from performing and spent a few years healing and recovering. I loved the exploration of psychology – my own and others; I was actually training to be a therapist when I found my way to music again. It was, after all, my first language. I became the lead vocalist in several bands and had a great time being on stage. But playing others’ music left me empty. I began to focus on writing music again, quietly, just for myself. This album is Inspired by so many events: my whole life in the larger sense, and more specifically by the sudden death of both of my parents right after I was married, as well as the birth of my daughter. Being a mother cracked me open and made me realize that the most important gift I could give to my daughter was to risk doing the thing I’m most passionate about, without thought to how it’s received.