Girl Friday

Amidst legions of bands that play the Lower East Side clubs in New York City, Girl Friday stands out as one to watch. Fronted by charismatic singer-guitarist Amanda Dora, who hails from the Midwest, and backed by Texan natives Byron Isaacs on bass and Konrad Meissner on drums, this rock trio is steadily gaining a cult following. While doing session work as a cellist in the late 90s, Amanda started writing a group of songs that would eventually become the nucleus of Girl Friday's first record.

She met Byron and Konrad through mutual friends in 2001 and the three have been making trouble together ever since.

Released on their own Get Fresh Records, Swimmer features songs who's themes range from personal, and at times confessional, to social and universal. Its sonic landscapes draw as much inspiration from the immediacy of indie rock bands like The Shins as they do from the aggressive energy of artists like PJ Harvey. Combining haunting and evocative melodic textures with muscular, up-tempo rhythms, Swimmer makes for a mesmerizing listen. Producer Pete Keppler, just off tour doing live sound for David Bowie, recorded the album with the band over the course of the last year. Pete's production and Hector Castillo's nuanced mixes showcase the band's skillful playing and surging arrangements, as well as Amanda's stirring, earthy vocals, which reach deep into the emotional heart of the listener.

Girl Friday is currently in the studio working on a second full length record set for release later this year. The band toured last summer behind a three song EP which showcases a leaner, meaner sound while still featuring their lush three-part harmonies.