Wishing Chair
Wishing Chair | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Lexington, Kentucky, United States |
Genres | Folk rock, Roots rock |
Years active | 1995-current[citation needed] |
Labels | |
Associated acts | Stealin Horses, , |
Website | WishingChair.com |
Members | , |
Wishing Chair is an American folk-roots duo, consisting of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist . The band formed in 1995 and has since then released eight recordings on their own independent label, . They are best known for their creative musical arrangements, dynamic stage presence, and Heartwood's thoughtful lyrics.
Biography[]
Heartwood began her professional music career in a Lexington (KY) band called Radio Café with drummer . The band later changed its name to Stealin Horses and was signed by the Arista label. The self-titled recording received some national acclaim. After the label dropped the band, they released one recording for Malaco/Waldoxy Records (Mesas and Mandolins) and then dissolved. Heartwood went on to record a solo album (True Frontiers) after the breakup of Stealin Horses.[1]
Davidson comes from a musical family and has been playing a variety of instruments for most of her life. Her father is a Jewish cantor and composer, and her mother was a music teacher.[2] Before joining Heartwood and forming Wishing Chair, she performed with Bev Futrell and Karen Jones of the Reel World String Band in a trio known as Tall, Dark and Handsome.
The Band[]
Heartwood and Davidson met at a summer music program in Toronto, where Miriam was the program director and Kiya was on faculty. After performing together at a faculty recital, Heartwood invited Davidson to perform on her next solo album. By the end of the recording process, the two decided to form a band together, and Singing With the Red Wolves was released under the band name Wishing Chair.
In 2001, they met trad-folk musician Kara Barnard while performing at the in Muncie, Indiana. They performed a few sets together, and due to the enthusiastic reaction of the audience, they decided to record an album. was released two years later.
Currently, Miriam Davidson is the director of the Anna Crusis Women's Choir in Philadelphia and Kiya Heartwood is touring solo. Heartwood lives in Austin, TX. Her latest solo CD is entitled "Little Wars" and is due January 2018.
Discography[]
- Singing With the Red Wolves (1995)
- (1998)
- (2000)
- (2002)
- (2003, with )
- (2005)
- (2007)
- (2009)
Awards and honors[]
- Emerging Artist Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, 2002
- Best Overall Song & Best Mellow Song Winner, South Florida Folk Festival, 2003
- Best Recording Duo/Band and Best Songwriter Winner, Outmusic, 2003
- Best New Folk CD Winner for Underdog, Just Plain Folks, 2006
- Best Roots Song Winner for "Sue Mundy," Just Plain Folks, 2006
Notes[]
- ^ Gordon, Keith. "Stealin' Horses Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ Kimzey, Kim (2008-05-15). "Wishing Chair gives legs to 'folk and roll'". Spartanburg Herald.
External links[]
- American folk musical groups
- All-female bands
- American musical duos
- Folk music duos
- Female musical duos