CHRISTINA MARRS
Biography
For seventeen years Christina Marrs led the indefinable underground darlings Asylum Street Spankers. Over nine remarkable albums, the group evolved from a country-blues revival show to one of the most innovative and adventurous acoustic ensembles of their time. Their genre defying catalog includes Mommy Says No! one of the most honored family albums of 2007, Spanker Madness, a poignant and pointed anti-prohibition classic and God’s Favorite Band, an "agnostic gospel” album produced by Christina, which was named “Best Gospel Album 2010” in the Independent Music Awards. Widely considered one of the greatest live acts of the last decade, the Spankers regularly toured Europe and Japan, played clubs, theaters and festivals across the United States, released two concert films on DVD and a live album of their 2008 Off Broadway revue What? And Give Up Show Biz? The Last Laugh, a live album and documentary of their three night farewell stand in their hometown of Austin is slated for release this fall.
As a writer and arranger, Christina Marrs is known for songs that sit easily among Tin Pan Alley, Brill Building and R&B classics. “Breathin’” and “No Song Sad Enough” are regularly covered by jazz, cabaret and pop vocalists and are gradually entering the standards canon. Her songs “Sidekick” and “Be Like You” have become touchstones in children’s music. A multi-instrumentalist, Christina plays banjo, tenor banjo, ukulele and guitar. She is also an accomplished musical saw player and vocal arranger. In 2008, VenusZine.com, the online journal of women in music, arts and culture, named Christina one of the top female guitarists of all time.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Ms. Marrs operates Little Sidekick, an online shop selling her handcrafted toys and children’s clothing. She is the mother of three boys, Sebastian, Coltrane and Lennon.
As a writer and arranger, Christina Marrs is known for songs that sit easily among Tin Pan Alley, Brill Building and R&B classics. “Breathin’” and “No Song Sad Enough” are regularly covered by jazz, cabaret and pop vocalists and are gradually entering the standards canon. Her songs “Sidekick” and “Be Like You” have become touchstones in children’s music. A multi-instrumentalist, Christina plays banjo, tenor banjo, ukulele and guitar. She is also an accomplished musical saw player and vocal arranger. In 2008, VenusZine.com, the online journal of women in music, arts and culture, named Christina one of the top female guitarists of all time.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Ms. Marrs operates Little Sidekick, an online shop selling her handcrafted toys and children’s clothing. She is the mother of three boys, Sebastian, Coltrane and Lennon.
Press
2011 Interview with The Phoenix New Times
2010 Interview and performance on NPR's Weekend Edition
2010 Interview with The San Antonio Current
2010 Article in The Boulder Weekly
Interview at HotBands
2005 Interview on NPR's All Things Considered
2002 Interview with Femmusic.com
2010 Interview and performance on NPR's Weekend Edition
2010 Interview with The San Antonio Current
2010 Article in The Boulder Weekly
Interview at HotBands
2005 Interview on NPR's All Things Considered
2002 Interview with Femmusic.com
Music
Download MP3 Sampler
Breathin' "Breathin'" from My Favorite Record (2002)
Sidekick "Sidekick" from Mommy Says NO! (2007)
No Song Sad Enough "No Song Sad Enough" from My Favorite Record (2002)
Got My Mojo Workin' "Got My Mojo Workin" from Mercurial (2004)
It's Dry Down Here "It's Dry Down Here" from Spanker Madness (2001)
Be Like You "Be Like You" from Mommy Says NO! (2007)
Think About Your Troubles "Think About Your Troubles" from Mommy Says NO! (2007)
If I Were You "If I Were You" from Hot Lunch (1999)
D.R.I.N.K. "D.R.I.N.K." from Mercurial (2004)
By and By "By and By" from God's Favorite Band (2009)
St. Louis Blues "St. Louis Blues" unreleased (1997)
Breathin' "Breathin'" from My Favorite Record (2002)
Sidekick "Sidekick" from Mommy Says NO! (2007)
No Song Sad Enough "No Song Sad Enough" from My Favorite Record (2002)
Got My Mojo Workin' "Got My Mojo Workin" from Mercurial (2004)
It's Dry Down Here "It's Dry Down Here" from Spanker Madness (2001)
Be Like You "Be Like You" from Mommy Says NO! (2007)
Think About Your Troubles "Think About Your Troubles" from Mommy Says NO! (2007)
If I Were You "If I Were You" from Hot Lunch (1999)
D.R.I.N.K. "D.R.I.N.K." from Mercurial (2004)
By and By "By and By" from God's Favorite Band (2009)
St. Louis Blues "St. Louis Blues" unreleased (1997)
Video