Folk artist comes to Bourbon Theatre, benefits earthquake victims

Amy Schmidt found her voice in New Zealand.

Schmidt, who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last year, was on a work visa in a small New Zealand town in 2006 when she started singing the songs that she had been writing since she was 16 years old. She became known as "the girl who sings in the bar."

"I thought if you write a song, it sounds best from the person who wrote it," Schmidt said.

Schmidt will play her tunes at a show tonight at the Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., with Mark Thornton, another Lincoln-based musician. Tickets cost $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Half of the proceeds from Schmidt's LP, "Restless Things," will go toward relief efforts for the survivors of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Schmidt worked for a year and a half on her album, which was produced in Lincoln. At first, the sound was more what Schmidt describes as "new folk," but progressed during the recording process. It especially changed halfway through the process when Schmidt lost all of her work after the hard drive crashed.

"We got a second go at it," Schmidt said. "The folksy songs got moody and eerie, but not in a bad way. They're calm and thought-provoking."

For her album, she chose 12 out of the 20 songs she has written, which range from songs about her own experiences to songs she thinks the audience might relate to. The focus is more on the songwriting, which shows through the songs, Schmidt said.

"Some (songs) are a personal diary, and others might do more good for the audience," Schmidt said. "I write a lot of songs that aren't intended for people to hear, but I think I will offer more if I share them."

Schmidt is now sharing her songs on her album, which she started selling at The Public shoe store, 1033 O St., as well as at the Coffee House, 1324 P St., where she works. Schmidt said she is encouraged by the sales.

"It's great fun," Schmidt said. "People I don't know are coming up to me and saying they didn't know I sing. They are seeing that I do more than just make coffee for them."

It has also been a way to allow others to know Schmidt in a different way.

Colin Egger, who works with Schmidt at the Coffee House, went to her show at the Zoo Bar and bought "Restless Things." His favorite song off of her album is "Geography."

"I really like her voice; she has a really pretty voice," Egger said. "It's nice getting to know Amy and listening to her stuff."

Schmidt has found her voice, and hopes to perform a well-done show. She is confident in both the opening band and the musicians that she will be playing with to present a studio-like sound.

"It's a different show for Lincoln," Schmidt said. "People can connect with (the music), and it's a local music show. People should support it."

paigecornwell@dailynebraskan.com

if you go

Amy Schmidt

where: Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St.

when: Tonight, 7 p.m.

how much: $5 in advance, $7 at the door