Amy LaVere: Country with a Cathartic Twang

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Amy LaVere has taken many roads on her journey to stardom: She's not only a singer, songwriter and bassist, but she's also acted — most notably in Walk the Line, in which she plays rockabilly pioneer Wanda Jackson. Born in the Deep South and raised in Detroit, LaVere now lives in Memphis, a town that matches her musical persona: a blend of classic country, jazz and gypsy blues.

LaVere's 2006 debut, This World Is Not My Home, showcases her cathartic twang while drawing from influences as varied as Billie Holliday, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton. Her new Anchors & Anvils, recorded with legendary producer Jim Dickinson, expands on the sounds and themes of its predecessor, while continuing to demonstrate her talent for luminous, accessible songcraft.