Amy Cook to make seventh appearance at El Cosmico

By JOHN DANIEL GARCIA

MARFA – Austin-based singer/songwriter Amy Cook will make her seventh appearance at the seventh annual Trans-Pecos Gathering of Music + Love, making her the only artist to have played the entire festival series held at El Cosmico.

Hailing from San Jose, California, Cook spent her formative musical years in Los Angeles where she practiced the punk-rock ethos of D.I.Y. recording and promotion with her indie-folk music, self-releasing two records, 2000’s “From the 52^nd Story Window,” and 2003’s “The Firefly Sessions.”

Amy Cook

Cook moved to Marfa in 2004, where she recorded “Bunkhouse Recordings” between Marfa and Fort Davis. The record was released through Liz Lambert’s Marfa Records in 2005. The album continued on Cook’s themes of natural beauty and contained the sounds of crickets and coyotes howling in the distance.

“Marfa’s special,” she said of her time in town, “It’s quiet and peaceful. It gives you perspective.”

Cook moved to Austin shortly after the release of the Bunkhouse Recordings and started work on her fourth album, 2006’s “Sky Observer’s Guide.” The album was well received, especially by former punk-rocker turned alt-country musician, Alejandro Escovedo, who tapped Cook for an opening spot on his “Real Animal” tour. The tour led to Escovedo producing Cook’s fifth album, 2010’s “Let the Light In.” The album was loved by critics and was followed with tours opening for Chris Issack, Sean Colvin, and Ryan Bingham, among others.

This year saw the release of Cook’s latest album, “Summer Skin.” Cook is backed by an uber-talented band comprised of Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Bruce, David Garza (whom she first met at the Railroad Blues in Alpine), and Jonathon Wilson – most of who will be performing at this year’s Trans-Pecos Gathering of Music + Love.

Led Zepplin legend Robert Plant and Patty Griffin also contribute to “Summer Skin.” They performed at the El Cosmico event last year.

“[Robert Plant is] really sweet,” Cook said of having the epitome of 1970s testosterone rock on her tender record. “It didn’t really hit me until later.”

Cook is also looking forward to hitting the road soon with Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin this fall. Cook performs on Saturday.