Music and fun are in the mix for the members of the hit New Orleans band Amalie. Sisters Aimee and Ashleigh Alleman, the inspiration behind Amalie, have been playing together since childhood. Perhaps that’s why it’s no surprise Amalie has taken off so fast.
Formed in 2001 under the name On the Rocks, Amalie has already achieved national recognition as winner of Seventeen Magazine and Macy’s Way to Rock contest.
The present incarnation of the band formed when Aimee, a communications senior at Loyola, posted fliers on campus in search of musicians interested in joining the band.
“I put some flyers up at Loyola saying we were looking for a bass player,” Aimee said. “We had some interesting people come.”
Among a large response pool, bassist David Barnes, communications junior, and guitarist Brandon Deriso, music business sophomore, caught the group’s eye.
“It took us a long time to find Brandon and David,” Ashleigh said.
With two new members in tow, all that was missing was someone behind the drum set. Fortunately, the Allemans didn’t have to look far for a percussionist. Ashleigh and Aimee’s father, Mark Alleman, joined the group on drums. Mixing classic rock riffs with Ashleigh’s light vocals, Amalie brings to mind comparisons to a similar sisterly rock act, Heart.
“It’s a mix really between classic and alternative [rock], or somewhere in between,” Barnes said.
The band is particularly proud of three original songs: “Picture Book,” “Me By Me” and “Beautiful.”
Having already released an EP of “Beautiful,” Amalie intends to make its album debut in time for Christmas. In the meantime, fans can listen to them live at bars and lounges all around New Orleans, and even visit their Web site, amaliemusic.com, to request a copy of “Beautiful” and the upcoming CD.
Amalie will also be playing tomorrow night at the Howlin’ Wolf.
The doors will open at 9 p.m., and the band Three Ring Circus will kick-off the night at 10 p.m. with Amalie coming on stage at 11. Amalie is sure to mix up the set with familiar songs as well as original compositions.
“We play two originals and then we play a cover, two originals and then a cover,” said Ashleigh, “so even if you don’t know our music you can still come out and hear the covers.”
