In February 2008, Amanda West released her solo debut full-length studio album, "The Way to the Water", offering 11 original tunes selected from the past decade of her songwriting. The disc has received international airplay and garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING about “The Way to the Water” : "...absolutely beautiful" Michelle Bork - SFU radio, Pennsylvania "This album...hits all the right notes" ~ Tony Bates, Highlands 100.7fm Victoria, Australia "… West has produced a music manager's dream of an album...This is an album to savor and enjoy, a musical journey through contemporary Folk music...” Peter Merrett - PBS Radio, Melbourne, Australia "The Way to the Water is an excellent compilation of beautiful songs." Francisco M. López Herrero - La Otra Ortilla, Radio Despi, Spain “Beautiful, sensuous, warm, vulnerable.” ~ Justin Mayer, Studio Owner “The Way to the Water” is available at CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, and most other online music stores, as well as through www.amandawestmusic.com, and on request at your local record store. ABOUT AMANDA WEST ~ Philosophical Folk Songstress ~ "...a good sense of melody, a lovely voice, and something to say." Cosy Sheridan - Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter " Songs written from the heart and most beautifully sung from the heart." ~ Peggy MacNeil, Isles FM Radio, Scotland “…deeply-introspective acoustic folk rock with lyrics that have that direct- from-the-diary quality, and gossamer vocals that effortlessly float and shimmer…” ~ The Santa Cruz Good Times "Amanda West: Songs to think about " 'Sleepy John' Sandige - KPIG Radio, Freedom, CA BIO If an inquisitive mind, an open heart, and a beautiful soul took a walk and discussed what it means to Be, their conversation might sound like the music of philosophical folk songstress, Amanda West. The California based songwriter has been singing since she was born, playing guitar for more than 15 years, and performing for over a decade. Listeners have repeatedly noted she has "the voice of an angel." To accompany her songs, West occasionally plays a light-hearted banjo, a pop-inspired piano, or a tribal West-African djembe, in addition to her ever-steady acoustic guitar. Notable influences include Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, and Loreena McKennitt. Amanda West has graced the stages of Ghengis Cohen in Los Angeles as well as the legendary Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. Festival credits include the Santa Cruz River Arts Festival, the San Francisco Free Folk Festival, the Yakima Folk Festival, as well as the Downtown Berkeley Music Festival in 2008 and 2009. Combining her passions for music and women’s social struggles, West co-produced and performed in Womansong – a multi-artist event in August of 2009 featuring eight women songwriters benefiting the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center. The festival is planned to become an annual event at the Spirit Garden in Big Sur, CA. Regularly performing in and around the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas, West has been commissioned for work in film, and performances at weddings and other private events. She has joyfully shared the stage with Nina Storey, Raining Jane, Rebecca Riots, The Bowmans and Megan Slankard, among others. This blossoming songstress holds a firm belief in the power of music as an avenue to world peace and interconnectedness. She is an active member of Folk Alliance, and is currently working on her second solo album. MORE INFO: WEBSITE: www.amandawestmusic.com MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/amandawestmusic REVERBNATION: www.reverbnation.com/amandawest Electronic Press Kit SONICBIDS: www.sonicbids.com/amandawest or CONTACT: info@amandawestmusic.com