Aaron Embry (born November 10, 1975, Bellflower, California) is an American songwriter and record producer. A periodic studio musician and touring pianist with artists such as Elliott Smith and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, he has also helped write albums by Jane's Addiction and produced albums by artists such as Avi Buffalo. In 2012 he released his solo album Tiny Prayers on Vagrant Records.
Aaron Embry | |
|---|---|
 Embry in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aaron Randall |
| Born | November 10, 1975 |
| Origin | Bellflower, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Occupations | Producer, singer-songwriter, sound engineer, instrumentalist |
| Instruments | Piano, harmonica, vocals, mandolin, others |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Community, Vagrant, allLOVEus, Capitol Records |
| Website | WelcomeToAaronEmbry.com |
Early life
editAaron Randall was born on November 10, 1975, in Bellflower, California.[1] He was the first child of a screenwriter/talent manager mother and dental technician father, H. Charles and Karen Randall. He is the eldest of three siblings, including actor Ethan Embry and photographer Kessia Randall.[2] He began taking piano lessons as a child, and music became a focus of his life. While a high school junior, he played his first professional gig in the orchestra pit of a production of Evita.[3]
Career
editAt age 19, Capitol Records signed him to a two-year development deal as a solo artist. A formal album wasn't released, but the demo-recording process started his career as a songwriter. He played piano and guitar in Elliott Smith's band touring for the album Figure 8, playing live with Smith, Sam Coomes and Scott McPherson. Embry states that "witnessing [Smith's] creative process was for me the equivalent to taking a graduate course in songwriting."[3] Embry played piano with the band on the April 21, 2000's Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[1]
Embry later became the leader of the indie-rock group Amnion, helping write the group's songs.[4] In February 2008, Amnion released their debut full-length album AmenNamO.[5][6]
Embry has remained a frequent touring musician, working for musicians such as Willie Nelson.[7] He played piano on the debut album Up From Below,[1] and was then the touring piano player with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros from 2009 to 2012. In August 2012 he booked a string of dates opening for Mumford and Sons in support of his debut solo album, Tiny Prayers.[3]
In 2014 Embry's song Raven's Song was featured in the movie Wish I Was Here directed by Zach Braff.
Producing
editHe has engineered, recorded, and produced a number of albums by other musicians and groups. In 2009, Embry produced and recorded the debut album of Long Beach-based band Avi Buffalo for Sub Pop Records at his home studio "Hunter's Hollow" in Glassell Park, California.[8] He worked with producer Daniel Lanois on his album Shine, and also spent time with the Los Angeles production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.[1]
Tiny Prayers (2012)
editEmbry began writing a solo album while on the road with his friend, Alexander Ebert[7] of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.[3] Tiny Prayers was released on September 18, 2012, on Community and Vagrant. The album includes ten songs written, performed, and co-produced by Embry, with Woody Jackson also co-producing.[9]
The album was positively received. According to a review in Aquarium Drunkard, "Moon of the Daylit Sky", the album's opening track, "is perfectly sparse, but there's a bit of old-fashioned magic as some brushed drums, mandolin, and Embry's tinkling of the ivory fill out the song's skeletal frame. Embry has just a small warble of a voice, but it carries immense weight. He can be airy and vague on the keys but only in the way that a great jazz pianist can."[7] Performer Magazine stated that with Tiny Prayers "Embry relies on a plethora of instruments to convey his thoughts and emotions. Despite the calm and minimalist approach to the album, he displays...a seasoned understanding of how to blend them all together into something captivating."[10]
Personal life
editAaron Embry is married; he and his wife Nikki have one child.[3]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| OFFBEAT by OFFBEAT |
|
| AmenNamO by Amnion |
|
| Up from Below by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros |
|
| Tiny Prayers by Aaron Embry |
|
| Life Ahead by Aaron Embry |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| "Moon of the Daylit Sky" by Aaron Embry |
|
Production credits
edit- 1998: No One Is Really Beautiful by Jude (Maverick) – instrumentals
- 2000: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" off Christmas Songs (Nettwerk America) – producer
- 2003: Strays by Jane's Addiction (Capitol Records) – co-writing, some keyboards, kalimba
- 2003: "The Richies" by Jane's Addiction – co-wrote lyrics, song
- 2006: "Superhero" off Up from the Catacombs – The Best of Jane's Addiction (Rhino) – writing
- 2009: Avi Buffalo by Avi Buffalo (Sub Pop) – produced and recorded[8]
- 2009: "What's in It For / Jessica" by Avi Buffalo (Sub Pop) – produced
- 2010: "Remember Last Time" off Western Skies (Uncut Magazine) – produced, instrumentals
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Aaron Embry". IMDb.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ Ethan Embry profile, filmreference.com; accessed August 25, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "About Aaron Embry". AaronEmbry.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ "Amnion". Bandcamp.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ "Los Angeles Loves Amennamo". LAUnderground.net. February 21, 2008. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ "AmenNamO". CDBaby.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c Inman, D. "Aaron Embry :: Tiny Prayers Review". Aquarium Drunkard. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Avi Buffalo artist bio". SubPop. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ "Tiny Prayers". Allmusic.com. September 18, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ Bennett, Vanessa (October 25, 2012). "Aaron Embry". Performer Magazine.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.