Ainjel Emme (Æ)

Ainjel Emme (pronounced angel em) is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Austin, TX. A self-professed "down-to-earth-yet-somewhat off-the-planet" artist, Emme writes haunting, passionate songs that blend eclectic elements and bend genre boundries.

She produced and released her first album, HEARTACHE IS BORING (available for download at iTunes), in Winter 2003. HEARTACHE IS BORING has received critical acclaim from local and national press ("Hits the mark right out of the chute." - The Austin Chronicle, "Heartache is Boring shimmers with art and soul." - BUST Magazine) and garnered Emme an international fan base. The record was a staff pick for the Top 10 CDs of 2003 at Austin's 90.5 KUT-FM (also honorable mention "Best Albums of The Year", The Austin Chronicle 2003) and was a Top Seller at CDbaby.com. "Long As It's Sweet" was a finalist for Indie Song of The Year 2005, and "Set Up For A Fall" won Pop Song of The Year 2006 at the Independent Artist Company (IACmusic.com). "Long As It's Sweet" and "In Flames" was featured in the independent feature film Have Love Will Travel (2007).

AE was a headlining act for two years in a row at Ladyfest Texas (2004, 2005), as well as a speaker on Ladyfest's Women in Music panel. She has been featured live in the studio at KUT 90.5 FM, KOOP 91.7 FM, and KLBJ 93.5 FM, with multiple performances on Austin's Fox 7 In The Morning (ATX). Upon her move to Los Angeles in late 2004, her captivating live performance was recommended by the Los Angeles Times. Local industry weekly Music Connection Magazine raved, "Emme is a true diamond in a sea of rock and roll wannabes."

In addition to her solo career, Ainjel is an enthusiastic accompanist. She hit the stage at both the Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals in 2005 (on drums with avant group MASS Ensemble), and has recorded / performed with a number of respected artists as a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. In August 2007, Ainjel contributed vocals and guitar to two tracks on the debut album from [Tool, A Perfect Circle frontman] Maynard James Keenan's new project, Puscifer ("Momma Sed" and "The Undertaker"). The record was released on October 30th and hit #25 on the Billboard Top 200 in its first week, as well as #1 on the Billboard Indie chart. She is also exploring work with film scores, having just completed her first orginal score for indie short Walking Shadow (2008).

Ainjel is currently in Los Angeles working on her long-anticipated second album, SONGS TO PASS THE QUIET HOURS. Recently one of eight Semifinalists in SPIN / MusicNation.com's Hot Pursuit competition (Dec 2007), alt-rock statesman Perry Farrell deemed Ainjel to be "rich in character", and SPIN Magazine editor Doug Brod proclaimed, "Compelling voice, cool beats, forceful songs, atmospheric production... very impressive stuff." Music Connection magazine featured AE in their Hot 100 Unsigned Artists of 2007 list (Dec 2007).

THANKS.