Amy Helm’s brand-new album, Silver City, is worth its weight in gold. In some ways hearkening back to classic Woodstock, Silver City is smartly minimalistic in a way that is right of this moment.
A deeply satisfying album, equal parts soul and alt country, you can hear each instrument breathing and resonating, perfectly complimenting Helm’s commanding and soulful voice.
The accompanying videos are a lot of fun to watch and a treat for locals. “Money on 7” was filmed at Deising’s in uptown Kingston with a local cast, and the album version of “Baby Come Back” was filmed entirely at Zena Rec, capturing perfectly from a kid’s perspective the interminable wait for the end of adult swim (a live version, mentioned in the interview below, is also not to be missed.)
Born in Woodstock, Amy Helm is a founding member of Ollabelle, with whom she’s released four albums. Helm has collaborated with dozens of other artists, toured the country playing blues with her acclaimed father, and performed on Dirt Farmer, the comeback album which won him a well-deserved Grammy. She also worked with him to build the Midnight Ramble concerts at Helm Studios, which have become a cornerstone of musical excellence in our area.
Silver City is Amy’s fourth solo album. Its release coincides with a world tour and a double show right here at the Colony this coming weekend. A soul singer in the truest sense, Amy Helm is a Woodstock legacy but, as her own lyrics rightly attest, “This child has got her own.”
Adam Snyder: Firstly, let’s talk about Silver City. You’ve spoken about the stories on your new album being a driving force, can you share an example or two?
Amy Helm: The first song that I finished was called “Young Katie” and was written for a young fan of mine who struggled with drugs, got sober, and then relapsed and lost her life to an overdose. The news of her death hit me hard, and I wrote the words as a letter to her.
After that “letter” song was finished, the rest of the songs seemed to rush in. There’s a story based on my great grandmother who was married off to a fire-and-brimstone preacher and banished from her kids, there’s a teenage girl reeling from her fist heartbreak, a single mom staring down loneliness and keeping her chin up. Some are about younger versions of myself, and some are about women whose stories have moved me.
AS: The sound is so perfectly pared down to what it needs to be, please talk a little about the production process and working with Josh Kaufman.
AH: I love working with Josh! He and I have a great chemistry working together, and fall in sync effortlessly. He always keeps us pointed towards the truest and often simplest way to express whatever the story is. I’m always amazed at his intuition and depth of perception in the studio and also in the writing process.
AS: How cool is it that you’re on Sun Records, which of course was home to Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, etc. How did this come about?
AH: So cool! I met Dominick, who is now helping to run Sun, a while back. I was thrilled when he approached us and expressed interest in having me on the label. They have a fantastic group of people working there and it’s an honor to be on such a cool and prestigious label that has such an important part in American music history.
AS: Your “Baby Come Back” kitchen-version video… the band is just so completely in the groove, and your singing and drumming just blow the doors off. Is this really recorded live in one take? How did you do it?
AH: Yes, we recorded three live takes and if I’m not mistaken, that was take number two. We had a fantastic engineer, my dear friend Pete Hanlon, he was strategic in how he set up and placed the microphones in the room, and he was able to get a great-sounding mix. Sam Watson, who directed and shot the video is also fantastic and did a wonderful job finding the moments and capturing the vibe.
AS: Is that really your kitchen with the photos on the fridge? If so, I want to point out to readers that Amy Helm lives stylishly in Woodstock in 2024 and does not need a Wolf professional oven range in her kitchen.
AH: Thank you! My kitchen is cluttered and filled with cheap appliances, but it’s my favorite place to hang out!
AS: You grew up at least partially in Woodstock, can you please share some Woodstock memories from when you were a kid or young person? Things you did for fun? Places you hung out? Childhood friendships?
AH: Like every generation before and yet to come, all we did was fuck around at Cumby’s till someone could give us a ride to Dietz Diner, where we would smoke pot and eat disco fries. But back then Dietz was open late so we really could get a rollicking good time going—the good old days! Now, I drive my kids to Stewart’s, or take a crew of friends and bandmates there after a gig, and we shoot the shit in front of the door eating ice cream on a Saturday night. It’s the best!
AS: I have a memory of you using the word “woodshedding” which has a meaning apart from musical practice in a clinical sense. Can you talk about this old school approach and how it’s helped you to go deeper within your art form?
AH: Well, I guess it is just another way to say practice, but for me I sometimes will turn a song inside out and try it a few different ways, on a few different instruments when I’m preparing a performance of it. I feel it helps me find my way into a song and feel more confident about it once I land on how I want to perform it.
AS: To say you come from a musical family is an understatement. I’m hoping you’ll share something specific about the influence that your folks have had on you, particularly your father who, like yourself, clearly brought something to this world from a deeper place.
AH: Both my parents played me the most incredible music from a young age. Ray Charles and Muddy Waters from my dad, Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro from my mom, just to name a few. My dad pushed me to go past what I thought my limitations were. He believed in my singing and songwriting before I did, and he guided me with a lot of grace and intuition.
AS: Anything else you’d like to add about where you’re at now and where you’re heading?
AH: I am always hoping and striving to get better and I’m deeply inspired by my son Lee and his band mates, and all the incredible young musicians I get to meet and work with in Woodstock and through teaching. It fills me up and makes me remember the joy and love inherent in being a working musician.
Amy Helm is playing this Friday and Saturday night at the Colony on Rock City Road in Woodstock. Shows both nights start at 7pm. Silver City is available in stores and via her website, where you can also find links to her recent videos: amyhelm.com.
Join the family! 
