Emily Wolfe: “Dance On The Record Grooves”
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For an artist that generally goes the acoustic route, it’s somewhat surprising that Emily Wolfe started her musical life on drums. She was placed behind the kit at age seven after failing to learn how to read sheet music (can you blame her?), but she eventually found her way to guitar and piano. This kind of well-rounded musical education is immediately apparent on Wolfe’s debut album, Director’s Notes. She recorded nearly every instrument herself, resulting in a record that’s personal and brimming with energy.
Wolfe was born in North Carolina, but she made her way to Texas at a young age. Like so many musicians, Wolfe’s first public performances were in her school’s marching band where she played French horn. She later moved to Austin and graduated from St. Edward’s University, but a chance encounter has helped kick-start her career. While taking an audio engineering course at Austin Community College, her professor Tim Dittmar took a liking to her music and offered to record her. Despite her young age, Wolfe confidently used the studio, recording most of her parts while also getting assistance from Diana Burgess and Joshua Zarbo.
Director’s Notes is as self-assured as debuts come. Album opener “Dance On The Record Grooves” hints at Wolfe’s love of old sounds: there’s that unmistakable crackle and hiss of vinyl, and Wolfe’s singing and intricate acoustic guitar take it from there. It’s a perfect formula, and you’ll be able to see it for yourself next Monday (September 24) when Wolfe winds up her month-long residency at the Cactus Cafe.
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