Biography

"a singer-songwriter with smarts and a distinct vision who's capable of
heartfelt sorrow or off-kilter humor'
'. ~ Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle

Devils are not the only thing to come from Tasmania. Singer-songwriter Audrey Auld's heart is in Country, Folk and Americana music with a presence as big as The Outback. Her songs are the wry and poignant observations of a Tassie girl living in California and Nashville for the past five years. Audrey calls it "Music with the dirt left on."

Auld is a memorable and uplifting entertainer. She's a spontaneous comedienne and a writer of humorous, provocative and soulful songs. A touring songwriter, Audrey won the 2006 MerleFest Song Contest and performed her winning song 'Losing Faith' with Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen) on guitar to a thrilled MerleFest crowd.

Auld's debut CD was released in 1999 to award winning acclaim in Australia. Looking Back to See, which is a duet album with singer songwriter and guitar great Bill Chambers (Dead Ringer Band, Kasey Chambers), laid a foundation for Auld's next seven releases including The Fallen in 2000 which was nominated for Best Country Album in Australia. Losing Faith (2003) is a dark haunting release that put Audrey on the map in the US with Americana radio. She began touring the states opening shows for Todd Snider, Fred Eaglesmith and Kevin Welch among others. Texas, which came out in 2005, was also a Best Country Album nominee in Auld's homeland. It was recorded in Texas with Gabe Rhodes, a gifted musician, producer and son of legendary artist Kimmie Rhodes.

By 2004 Audrey had married very well (to directly quote her), became a United States resident and was living in Stinson Beach just north of San Francisco. She quickly became a favorite on local stations KRSH, KRCB and KPIG, playing frequently for Sleepy John's local shows and touring the region.

"I have hosted over 700 live music shows on KPIG radio and if asked to give the top 10 performers Audrey Auld would be on that list. She has a great voice and writes serious songs and humorous songs that make you think and laugh, but the best part is that she is a great entertainer." ~ Sleepy John, KPIG Radio.

While in California, San Quentin Prison became a regular gig for Auld via her involvement with the Bread and Roses organization. Her initial performance to a captive audience led to ongoing songwriting workshops with the inmates. This rewarding experience is what she misses most about leaving Stinson Beach.

It was in Northern California that Auld was introduced to guitarist extraordinaire Nina Gerber (Eliza Gilkyson, Kate Wolfe, and Karla Bonoff amongst many others). The two musically fast friends hit it off immediately, and their second show together was recorded and released in 2006. In the House is a stunning live release.

Lost Men & Angry Girls went to Number One on the Freeform Americana chart in 2007. This chart is compiled from the worldwide play lists of DJ's who play music for love, not money. The album showcases Auld's best writing to date and is proof of the heart and mind connection of her music and her huge capacity for compassion and humor in writing songs that everyone can relate to.

2009 finds Audrey living in East Nashville with her husband, dogs and chickens, writing songs and touring . . . stay tuned, because the best is yet to come!

Career highlights:
* San Quentin Prison - performance and ongoing songwriting workshops (BreadandRoses.org)
* Performing at the Carter Family Fold, Hiltons, Virginia.
* Singing harmony with Buddy Miller and band in Australia.
* Ongoing touring with Fred Eaglesmith.
* Ongoing collaboration with Bill Chambers.
* Performing with guitar virtuosos Nina Gerber and Andrew Hardin.
* International Songwriter Series (Australia) - with Jim Lauderdale, Kim Richey, Fred Eaglesmith, Jason McCoy.
* 2 ARIA Nominations (Aust. Recording Industry Assn). for self-produced and self-released albums on her own Reckless Records label.
* 4 songs cut by other artists (including Sunny Sweeney, Big Machine Records).
* 2 Golden Guitar nominations (Australia).
* Sitting with Charlie Louvin in his pick-up truck listening to the pre-release CD of the Louvin Bros. tribute
* Playing on Ernest Tubb’s Midnite Jamboree with Don Helms (Hank Williams’ Band) on steel guitar
* Recording with Kieran Kane, Fred Eaglesmith, Mary Gauthier, Dale Watson,
Bill Chambers, Kasey Chambers, Nina Gerber, Carrie Rodriguez and Gabe & Kimmie Rhodes
* Singing with Charlie Louvin, Tom Russell, Laurie Lewis, Jim Lauderdale, Kim Ritchie, Paul Kelly, Fred Eaglesmith, Jon Dee Graham, Gurf Morlix and Jimmie LaFave
* Kasey Chambers included "Song For Clax" in her Top Ten favorite songs.

"Audrey Auld is a great singer songwriter. She holds a unique place in contemporary Americana/Roots music. I believe that this uniqueness is largely due to the fact that she is Australian. This affords her a totally different attitude as an artist than traditional American contributors to this genre. Audrey is one of the most honest original artists I know."
~ Fred Eaglesmith

"I just finished listening to "Losing Faith" and it levelled me - I had to crawl to the computer to let you know how much it moved me, even after only one listen - I'm hooked". ~ Eliza Gilkyson

“Audrey is the real deal. I call her the Australian songbird. She has that wide-open sound & it’s easy to relate to her music because she sings from the soul.” ~ Jimmy LaFave

“The beauty of Audrey's work is that she understands the power of simplicity. Whether it be in a traditional country setting or on the more edgy tracks her voice stays honest and true." ~ Kieran Kane

“Audrey Auld is one of my favourite Songwriters. Not only does she have a way of telling it straight with passion, she’s totally fearless. She reminds me of Steve Earle. Scary! Audrey’s the real deal.”
~ Bill Chambers

Long version BIO click here.

PROMOTER QUOTES:

“Audrey Auld  is a joy to watch, she loves to perform and  it shows in every song she sings. I want to be entertained by artists that create what they perform and Audrey is the real deal, as she writes most or all of her show. She is  brilliant. Audrey  performed at the Fred Eaglesmith Summer picnic in 2005. To date no one  has sold the amount of CDs she did.” ~ Suzy Miller, Manager, Fred Eaglesmith

“I have hosted Audrey Auld many times in many different circumstances and hope to continue to do so.  Her music has been such a refreshing blast from Down Under.  Her lyrics give voice to the gamut of emotions we feel and experience, conveyed in a beautiful, yet believable voice.  Her singing sometimes sounds as though she's from Austin instead of Australia, with a country-type flair, and at times as sweet and tender as a voice can be.  Auld Mezera's performances are always entertaining and fresh.  She has a wonderful sense of humor and can read an audience and captivate and involve them.  I was blown away by Audrey the first time I heard her and it's only gotten better in the ensuing years.  I look forward to hosting her again and again.”
~ Laurie Schaeffer, Schaef-Abel Productions, Santa Rosa, CA.

“Audrey is a unique performer in the best possible way. I have been enjoying Audrey's CD's and live shows for more than 10 years. She breathes new life into old songs, and her self penned songs are always entertaining and revealing. She bares her soul in her lyrics. There is only one Audrey Auld.  A five star performer not to be missed.”
~ Rhonda Astill, NSW Australia

“I first heard Audrey opening for Fred Eaglesmith and was intrigued. Some time later she approached me about the possibility of hosting her at a house concert in my home in Davis Ca. There is always a bit of trepidation when I bring in someone for the first time, such questions as will they be well received, can they carry an evening, are they personable go thorugh my mind. Audrey laid them all to rest very quickly. She is a great singer and a wonderful writer of songs. I love the stories she tells in her songs, they feel real and her voice is a good voice to sing them. It is a strong voice that can convey a whole range of emotion which enhances her songs. She also has great taste in the songs she chooses from other writers. I recently had the opportunity to host her a second time, this time being joined by Nina Gerber. Nina is well known in this area from her days with Kate Wolf and a number of people who came to the concert came to hear Nina, not knowing at all who Audrey is. Later I spoke to some who were won over by Audrey that evening.
The two of them are a great combination and it would be nice to see them continue their association. I think Audrey is someone who deserves to be recognized.”

~ Bill Wagman, Wagman House Concerts, Davis, CA.

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