One of the best things about the music scene in the Champaign-Urbana area is its accessiblity. On any given night, townies can see just about any kind of music, live, for a reasonable price (and by “reasonable,” I mean less than $10 and sometimes absolutely free). The bands are many and their repertoires are varied.
I talked to Amy Mitchell, local singer and all-around kickass lady about her bands, her love life, and her beginnings in music at home and beyond.
Smile Politely: How did you get started in music?
Amy Mitchell: I have always loved music. My dad played guitar and sang in a band until I was five years old. I sang in grade school at school concerts and was in choir. I did a lot of singing for church, and was in a concert choir at SIU for a year. I was never in a band until I met Guido and Tom.
SP: And when did you move to C-U (or were you born here)?
Mitchell: I was born in Danville, and as soon as I graduated from high school I moved to Carbondale to attend SIU. I then moved to Chicago and went to Loyola University for grad school. I moved to North Carolina after I was married in 2004 and moved back to Chicago in July 2007 after my separation/divorce. I moved back to Danville in September 2008 and after 90’s Daughter started, I moved to Urbana in December of 2009.
That was a lot of detail to tell you how I came about getting here. LOL.
SP: Who all do you sing with now?
Mitchell: I am the lead singer of 90’s Daughter with Michael Guido Esteves on Bass, Tom Grassman on Guitar, and Joe Funderburk on drums. I also sing in the Amy Mitchell Trio/ 90’s Daughter Acoustic, which also includes Guido and Tommy G.
I met “Guido” and Tommy G. at the same time, in March 2009. I went to see Live Karaoke Band at Gino’s Bar in Danville, IL and, after going the second time (I sang with them each time of course), I was asked to be part of their Live Karaoke Band Allstars. In late June/early July, Guido asked me to be in his original band as the singer, since his former singer, Mike Bray, had moved to L.A. At the end of August/early September, I was approached about starting a project with Tom Grassman and Guido, which resulted in the birth of 90’s Daughter. Our first show was performed on Halloween weekend 2009.
SP: Fun! I love Halloween! (Most theatre geeks do.) What kind of shows do you put on? What can people expect from the trio and the band?
Mitchell: 90’s Daughter is tagged as a band that brings you songs from the 90s, 2K, and Today! When you attend a 90’s Daughter show, it is a high energy rock and dance party! We interact with the crowd. We keep the talking and banter to a minimum so that the crowd can keep dancing, and [we] have even been known to bring fans up on stage to dance and sing. There is never a dull moment with 90’s Daughter. Our show is ultimately about our fans and guaranteeing you have a great time.
Our acoustic act is laid back, but still very much a rockin’ good time. We play not only songs from our full rock show, but also 50’s, 60’s and so on. We like to play requests that our crowd throw out, no matter how off the wall or challenging. The acoustic trio can be playing early evening on a patio outside a bar one night and then late in the night at a bar the next night. It is a very versatile act and, while acoustic can be mello, we usually end our show with dance and high energy songs that get the crowd moving.
Both 90’s Daughter and the Amy Mitchell Trio/90’s Daughter acoustic play in numerous venues from bars, bowling alleys, and country clubs. [We play] for many different events such as weddings, birthdays, holiday parties, etc. We cater to the crowd and therefore, if we know children will be in attendance, it is always performed in a family friendly way (ie. no cursing, suggestive banter or gestures).
SP: I like the idea of family-friendly just being … music that everyone knows and likes. It doesn’t have to be for kids to be kid-friendly. It sounds like you play all kinds of venues, too. Any favorites?
Mitchell: I can only speak for myself, but I think that Cowboy Monkey feels like home to me when playing with 90’s Daughter. I say this because it was where we had our first packed show in the early months of 90’s Daughter. We had the opportunity to play their outdoor block party last summer and had 800+ people in the crowd, which was the biggest crowd we had been in front of.
It doesn’t hurt that I got engaged on the inside stage this past March!
Even though it feels like home to me, I really enjoy playing at Fat City, Memphis on Main, HighDive, Boomerangs Bar and Grill, and Jupiters II. [They] all have their own nuances that make for a fun and rockin’ party!
When I sing [acoustic shows] I definitely love the Mike N Molly’s beer garden in the late spring and throughout the Summer and Dublin O’Neil’s in the fall and winter. The atmosphere in the beer garden at Mike N Molly’s is intimate and cozy and the acoustics are amazing with the brick walls on each side! Dublin O’Neil’s is warm and inviting in the colder months, and singing there is like one big party with your closest friends.
SP: The audience can sense that connection. It must make for some great times! Getting engaged on stage — that must have been fun! What happened?
Mitchell: It was Michael Guido Esteves’s Birthday Bash and Allstar jam. (For those that didn’t know, I have been [in a relationship] with my bass player for almost three years now.) Different musicians get up on stage and rock out with him all night. Cowboy Monkey was at capacity, and we had just finished playing most of the Prince set we played at The Great Cover Up.
[Guido] told me to close my eyes and, at that moment, I knew it was happening. But I had no clue about the grand gesture he had planned! I expected to open my eyes and see him on one knee making a speech on the mic, but it was so much more. I opened my eyes to find him down on one knee, holding a ring in his hand that was resting on a painted portrait done by John Jansky of the two of us. Our good friend Andy Moreillon singing “Love Is All You Need” by the Beatles, accompanied by a seven-piece horn section, and my family and friends waving candles in the air. It was like being in a movie. People were screaming and clapping and I was crying like a baby! It is the most thoughtful and amazing thing anyone has ever done for me. I honestly still get teary eyed watching the video.
SP: Was it like Love, Actually? (I’m squealing like a girl.) It makes life so much more interesting to have so many talented friends! What a great surprise…
Mitchell: Love, Actually was the inspiration … one of my favorite movies ever!
I am so lucky to be surrounded by wonderfully talented friends. The bonus is that they are also caring, down to earth, and supportive as well. It never fails that if things are not great or work has been stressful, I know I can go play or watch my friends gig. Somehow it turns stress away and I am once again happy.
SP: Happiness and harmony…
Mitchell: I just want to add … I am really excited for what lies in the future for 90’s Daughter! This summer we seem to be blowing up. So many festivals and parties and it just keeps getting better.
I want to thank all the Champaign-Urbana bars and our fans that give us the momentum to rock even harder.
You can see Mitchell and her trio tonight at Mike ‘N Molly’s, performing with Upshot.