Task 2
Rock Star
5 In the masculine universe of rock, singer-songwriter Amy Lee fits right in. She brings her goth girl self to the process of composing and to the recording studio, no questions asked. The co-founder and lead vocalist for Evanescence lets her unrelenting strength and sheer determination push through a downpour of adrenaline-amped guitar riffs with her soothing, classically trained piano stylings.
10 Evanescence brings to the forefront heart-pounding musical compositions fronted by Lee’s supernatural yet reality-crashing vocals. With the debut of their album, The Open Door, Lee views the journey that led her to this point of self-realization. In the world of musical “geniuses”, Lee stands out, simply because she realizes that it’s worth going on your own. Her mantra: Trust yourself. Believe in yourself.
15 In keeping with their tradition of supreme independence, the Little Rock, Arkansas, band didn’t follow the tried and tired route to becoming a stadium pleaser. Ten years back then 14-year-old Lee and former co-founder Ben Moody paired up and focused their energies on creating a new sound. They decided to go on their own and build their band up slowly and fiercely.
20 Fate didn’t come knocking, but rather it practically blew the door off its hinges in the 20 spring of 2003 when Evanescence’s debut album, Fallen, hit the airwaves. Fallen sold more than 14 million albums globally, and was certified gold or platinum in over 35 countries. And in 2004, Evanescence was nominated for five Grammy Awards. They’ve got two, including the biggie, Best New Artist.
25 And the Grammy experience? “It feels like you are in high school collecting all of your awards at the end of the year,” Lee laughs. “I really appreciate those who took the time to understand our sound. I was stoked.” When she heard their name called, “I didn’t expect it,” Lee remembers. “I had my shoes off, so, of course, had to put them back on.”
30 Armed with their second album and its first single, with the title, “Call Me When You’re Sober,” Lee talks about her natural growth as a female artist and coming to terms with her artistic freedom. “I didn’t want to make the same album twice. Now I was allowed to grow and that gave me confidence as an artist.”
35 Now, with The Open Door, Lee, at the ripe age of 24, is a competent artist who knows exactly what she wants. And that is her advice for women trying to break into the biz, “You have to feel what is right in your heart. If someone is telling you to do something just because it’s good for business, it’s a lie. Just trust yourself; it may take longer, but not everybody knows what they are talking about.”
Which of the following best characterizes Amy Lee at present?
