Aisha Burns (born July 1987) is an American singer-songwriter and violinist. She is a member of the instrumental ensemble Balmorhea, and has toured and recorded with Adam Torres and Thor & Friends, among others. She has released two solo albums on Texas-based label Western Vinyl.[1]

Aisha Burns
BornJuly 1987
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
GenresFolk, Indie
OccupationMusician
InstrumentsViolin, vocals, guitar
Years active2006-present
LabelsWestern Vinyl
Websitehttp://aishaburns.com/

Career

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Burns was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, United States. She began playing violin at age 10 and performed in orchestra throughout her formative years.[2] Burns moved to Austin, Texas, in 2005 to attend the University of Texas. While in school she joined folk-rock outfit Alex Dupree & The Trapdoor Band in 2006.[3] Through this band, she met Rob Lowe, one of the founding members of the instrumental ensemble Balmorhea, and joined the group in 2007.[3]

After recording and touring as a violinist for six years, and contributing vocals to the Balmorhea record Stranger,[4] Burns released her first solo album, Life in the Midwater, in 2013.[2] The record features accompaniment by Travis Chapman on upright and electric bass and a guest solo by Alex Dupree.[5]

Burns is the violinist featured on folk singer-songwriter Adam Torres' 2016 LP Pearls to Swine[6] and 2017 EP I Came to Sing the Song. She also contributed to a track on experimental instrumental group Thor & Friends' 2017 release The Subversive Nature of Kindness.[7]

Burns released her sophomore solo album, Argonauta, in May 2018. On Argonauta, called a "stunning composition" by Texas Monthly[8] and "a poignant" album by Pitchfork,[9] Burns' lyrics grapple with the loss of her mother in 2012 alongside the start of a new, life-changing relationship.[2][10][11] As with her prior effort, Burns composed the string arrangements and self-produced the album, which features Jake Woodruff on guitar, Travis Chapman on bass, Dylan Reick on cello and Thor Harris on vibraphone.[12]

Aisha has toured the U.S. and Europe,[13] and has performed at the SXSW,[14] NXNE,[15] Reeperbahn[16] and Explore the North festivals.[17]

Discography

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Studio albums

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References

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  1. ^ "Aisha Burns". Austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  2. ^ a b c "'I've Discovered My Voice': Aisha Burns Navigates Love In The Wake Of Her Mom's Death". Npr.org. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  3. ^ a b "Made in Austin: Folk-rock violinist Aisha Burns goes solo for 'Life in the Midwater'". Red River Noise. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  4. ^ "'I've Discovered My Voice': Aisha Burns Navigates Love In The Wake Of Her Mom's Death". Npr.org. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  5. ^ "From The Horse's Mouth: Aisha Burns on Life In The Midwater | Ghettoblaster Magazine". Ghettoblaster Magazine. 2013-08-14. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  6. ^ "Review: Adam Torres, 'Pearls To Swine'". Npr.org. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  7. ^ "An Intensely Lived Calm - Thor Harris & Friends' "The Subversive Nature of Kindness"". Stereoembersmagazine.com. January 31, 2018.
  8. ^ "Aisha Burns's 'Argonauta' Shows the Power of Recognizing Grief". Texasmonthly.com. May 16, 2018. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  9. ^ "Great Records You May Have Missed: Spring 2018". Pitchfork.com. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  10. ^ "Album of the Day: Aisha Burns, "Argonauta"". Daily.bandcamp.com. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  11. ^ "Aisha Burns's 'Argonauta' Shows the Power of Recognizing Grief". Texasmonthly.com. 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  12. ^ "Argonauta - Aisha Burns | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  13. ^ "A Tour Diary: Aisha Burns Reports from Europe". Austintownhall.com. 19 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Aisha Burns | SXSW Schedule 2013". Schedule.sxsw.com. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  15. ^ "Austin music scene heads north for NXNE". Thestar.com. June 17, 2014. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  16. ^ "REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL 2014 – DIE ULTIMATIVE PLAYLIST". Joinmusic.com. September 17, 2014. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  17. ^ "Aisha Burns – Argonauta". Thenextgig.nl. 20 July 2018.