Amy LaVere is a gal about town.  This rising Memphis artist is on her way to establishing her name in the music world in the wake of establishing her name on the silver screen.  You may recognize her from movies such as Walk the Line, Black Snake Moan, and Hustle and Flow. As for her new musical endeavors, LaVere has recently released her second album, Stranger Me, and the sound is deliciously reminiscent of Jessica Lea Mayfield’s husky blues. LaVere, despite lacking a Dan Auerbach to help her maneuver the intricate ropes of the modern music business (Perhaps her movie experience can be the equivalent?), seems to be navigating the crazy scene just fine on her own.

Here are a few questions to help you get to know this talented girl, and keep reading to find out how to win tickets to her show this Saturday, September 10th at the Hotel Cafe.

Claire Gallagher: Where are you from?  Has your hometown/where you live now influenced your music at all?

Amy LaVere: I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana but grew up in a Texas/Louisiana border town called Bethany. When I turned about 7, we started to move around the country with my Dad’s job. I was mostly influenced by by mother’s songwriting. She was always playing music. If she wasn’t singing, the stereo was always on playing classic county or folk records. When I was in high school we moved to a small town out side of Detroit. I started to get turned onto aggressive music that suited this teen angst phase of my life.

CG: Describe yourself in a sentence.

AL: I’m all things but not, all at the same time. I’m friendly and approachable, private, guarded, optimistic and brooding.

CG: Describe your music in a sentence.

AL: I play music that gives me feeling and lets me lose myself in the stories of the songs.

CG: Who are some of your biggest influences, and who are some newer bands you’re listening to now?

AL: I’ve been influenced a great deal by Willie Nelson. His songwriting is so pure  and I admire the way he’s structured his band to be a family. As for right now, I have been listening to a lot of Nina Simone and Indian classical music. I have only recently discovered the band Elbow. Although they aren’t “new,” they’re new to me.

CG: Finally, for sheer randomness, if you could be any animal in the world, what would it be.

AL: I think I’d like to be a well kept dog that had a big bunch of land to run around and play on. My dog Charlie has it made. I treat him like a king. My only regret for him is that I don’t live somewhere that he gets roam free very often.

For more Amy, check out her Mountain Stage session on NPR.

Now, the important stuff: How to win tickets!

LaVere’s album, Stranger Me, has been described by Spin as “the breakup album of the year.”  Like Bestnewbands.com on Facebook and leave us a wall post telling us your favorite breakup song.  We’ll announce the winner Friday night here on the site.  Let the feelings of spite and resentment begin!