Priscilla Ahn
- Acoustic
- folk
- Indie folk
- Vocals
- guitar
- piano
- melodica
- harmonica
- ukulele
- banjo
Priscilla Ahn (born Priscilla Natalie Hartranft; March 9, 1984)[citation needed] is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She released her single "Dream" from her debut album, A Good Day, produced by Joey Waronker for EMI's Blue Note Records, in 2008. After growing up in Pennsylvania and graduating from high school, Ahn moved to Los Angeles, California, adopted her mother's Korean maiden name, and began to pursue a music career.
Ahn has toured with Willie Nelson,[1] Amos Lee (for whom she sang backup vocals),[2] Ray LaMontagne,[1] Devotchka and Joshua Radin.[2] Her collaborative efforts include Tiësto's "I Am Strong", Cary Brothers' "Maps" and Ashtar Command's "The Breakup Song".
Ahn has released several albums, including A Good Day, When You Grow Up, and This Is Where We Are. She has toured internationally, including tours in Japan, China, Korea and the US.[3]
Early life
Priscilla Natalie Hartranft was born in Fort Stewart, Georgia, to Kay (née Ahn) and Harry Hartranft. Her family visited South Korea, where her mother is from, several times.[4] Her parents met when her father was stationed there while in the military.[5]
Ahn spent her childhood growing up in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and attended Tulpehocken Area High School. She started playing guitar and harmonica at the age of 14 and performed in choirs and musical productions throughout high school.[5][6] After graduation her music professors Charles Eckhart and Douglas Crowder encouraged her to pursue her music career full-time.[7] She soon moved to Los Angeles.[5][8]
She took her mother's maiden name as her stage name, saying, "Ahn is so much prettier and simpler. It’s also an ode to my Korean background, which is where I get my musical genes from.”[4]
Career
After years of performing at open mic nights, Priscilla Ahn played a showcase in New York City for Blue Note Records and was signed to the label. In 2008, Blue Note Records released her full-length debut album, A Good Day, produced by Joey Waronker. The following June, Ahn went on a national tour.[9] Her album, A Good Day included musical contributions by keyboardists Greg Kurstin, Keefus Ciancia, guitarist Mike Andrews, musical saw player Ursula Knudsun, cellist and string arranger Oliver Kraus, keyboardist Larry Goldings and singers Jim Gilstrap and Orin Waters.[7]
Priscilla Ahn has toured with Joshua Radin, Amos Lee, Willie Nelson and Ray Lamontagne and contributed vocals to the albums Supply and Demand, Mission Bell and Kaleidoscope.[10] She was selected as Artist of the Week in Paste magazine in June 2008.[11]
Ahn's songs have appeared on the television shows Grey's Anatomy,[12] Knight Rider, Make It Or Break It, Married Single Other, several episodes of the Ghost Whisperer,[13] and in the films Disturbia,[14] Bride Wars, Love Happens, My Sister's Keeper, Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove and Moms' Night Out.
After contributing to the compilations album, His Way, Our Way, Priscilla Ahn collaborated with Inara George, Sia, Eleni Mandell, Charlie Wadhams and Jake Blanton on her album When You Grow Up which was produced by Ethan Johns.
Ahn appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in May 2011 and ABC's Dancing with the Stars, performing songs from her debut A Good Day and the title track from When You Grow Up.[15]
After a period of writer's block, Ahn isolated herself in a remote desert hotel to create new music for the album This is Where We Are. "I found the whole thing really inspiring, and suddenly, all these songs came pouring out. I just needed a little isolation and focus, some new sounds to play with, and a carefree, 'this is just an experiment' attitude to begin writing again."[3] This Is Where We Are was released in Japan on 19 July 2013 and later in Korea and Taiwan and was released in the US on 15 February 2014.[16]
She also composed and performed music for the Ghibli film When Marnie Was There directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi including the soundtrack in the credit sequence Fine on the Outside, as well as 9 other songs based on the film which were published in an album When Marnie Was There Song Album - Just Know That I Love You.
Ahn's music is described as grounded in folk, country, and pop.[7] Ahn explored electropop music in the album This Is Where We Are.[17] Of the album's stylistic departure, she said, "I like to let things naturally flow out when I’m writing, and be whatever they’ll be. I think the biggest reason why this album ended up sounding so different from my previous two is because I wrote most of these songs on a keyboard, instead of my guitar. I bought a keyboard, learned how to use Logic Pro, and used their basic audio samples as a songwriting tool. It opened up a whole new world to me sonically, and all these new songs just came pouring out."[4]
Personal life
Ahn married actor Michael Weston in May 2010. They have 2 children.[18][19]
Discography
Albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
USA [20] | JPN [21] | ||
A Good Day |
| 147 | 51 |
When You Grow Up |
| - | - |
Natural Colors |
| - | 186 |
Home ~ My Song Diary |
| - | 270 |
This Is Where We Are |
| - | 238 |
Just Know That I Love You |
| - | 58 |
Priscilla Ahn Best[22] |
| - | 193 |
La La La |
| - | - |
EPs
- Priscilla Ahn (2007, self-released)
- Live Session (2008, iTunes)
- In A Tree (2009)
- Sweet Hearts (2012, With Charlie Wadhams)
- Waiting (2021)
Singles
- "Dream" (2008, Blue Note)
- "I'll Never Smile Again" (2009)
- "I Am Strong" by Tiësto featuring vocals by Priscilla Ahn (2009)[23]
- "Where The Leaf Starts To Fall" featuring Taiwanese music band Sodagreen (2013)
- "從一片落葉開始 (It Began With A Fallen Leaf)" by Sodagreen featuring vocals by Priscilla Ahn (2013)
Music videos
- "Dream"
- "Red Cape"
- "Vibe So Hot"
- "I Don't Have Time To Love"
- "When You Grow Up"
- "Torch Song"
- "Home"
- "Remember How I Broke Your Heart"
- "Leave It Open"
Compilation appearances
- His Way, Our Way (Sinatra Tribute)
- The Hotel Café presents Winter Songs- Silent Night featured on ER [24]
Contributions
- Vocals and Piano on Joshua Radin's We Were Here, Columbia, 2006 (as Priscilla Hartranft)[25]
- Vocals on Amos Lee's Supply and Demand, Blue Note Records, 2006
- Vocals on Joshua Radin's EP Unclear Sky: "The Fear You Won't Fall", 2006
- Vocals on Joshua Radin's Underwater: "Let It Go", "The Greenest Grass", 2012.[26]
- Vocals on William Fitzsimmons' The Sparrow and the Crow, Mercer Street, 2008[27]
- Vocals on Cary Brothers' Vol. 1 EP Maps, 2012[28]
- Vocals on Ashtar Command American Sunshine: "The Breakup Song", "Rosa", "All the Stars in Heaven", 2011[29]
- Vocals on TV on the Radio's Nine Types of Light: "Will Do", 2011
- Vocals on Amos Lee's Mission Bell: "Stay With Me", 2011
Filmography
Credits of Priscilla Ahn as a vocalist and/or songwriter
Year | Film | Recording Title | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Bride Wars | "Dream"[30] | Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation |
Loving Leah | "Dream" | Hallmark Hall of Fame | |
2010 | My Sister's Keeper | "Find My Way Back Home" | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Brand New Day (f/k/a Traveling) | "Dream" | Universal City Studios Productions LLLP | |
Legends of the Canyon | "Dream" | Impact film Sales LTD | |
Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove | "Find My Way Back Home" | Warner Bros. Pictures | |
2011 | An Invisible Sign of My Own | "In a Tree" | Invisible Indelible |
Red Flag | "Find My Way Back Home" | Hands On Productions, Inc. | |
2012 | Chasing Maverics | vocalist | |
2013 | Missing Pieces | "Find My Way Back Home" | Contraction Entertainment |
The Goats | "Wallflower" | The Goats, LLC | |
Pacific Rim | "Mako"[31] | Warner Bros. Pictures & Legendary Pictures | |
2014 | When Marnie Was There | "Fine on the Outside" | Studio Ghibli |
Moms' Night Out | "Dream" | Affirm Films | |
2016 | La La Land | additional vocals | |
American Pastoral (film) | "Moon River"[32] | Lionsgate |
Television
Credits of Priscilla Ahn as a vocalist and/or songwriter
- 2009: Men in Trees – Leave the Light On (Warner Bros. Television)
- 2009: Grey's Anatomy – Dream (ABC Studios)[1]
- 2009: Psych – A Good Day (Morning Song) (NBC Studios, Inc.)
- 2009: Knight Rider-I Don't Think So (NBC Studios, Inc)
- 2009: Ghost Whisperer – Dream (ABC Studios)
- 2009: Eli Stone – Dream (ABC Studios)
- 2009: ER Promos – Silent Night (NBC Studios, Inc)
- 2010: Jeep Wrangler "We Build" – In a Tree (commercials – BBDO)
- 2010: So You Think You Can Dance – Dream (DanceNation Productions, Inc.)
- 2010: Life – Dream (NBC Universal Television)
- 2010: The Biggest Loser – Red Cape (BL4 Productions, Inc)
- 2010: Brothers And Sisters – Dream (ABC Studios)
- 2010: Grey's Anatomy – Christmas Time Is Here (American Broadcasting Company)
- 2010: Kansai Electric Power – Leave The Light On (EMI Music Japan)
- 2011: So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 – Dream (Dick Clark Productions, Inc.)
- 2011: Psych – Christmas Time Is Here (GEP)
- 2011: Kansai Electric Power – Leave The Light On (EMI Japan)
- 2011: "Married, Single, Other" BBC – Find My Way Back Home (EMI UK)
- 2011: "Married, Single, Other" ITV – Find My Way Back Home (EMI UK)
- 2012: ABC Family: Make It or Break It – Dream (ABC Studios)
- 2012: United States: In Plain Sight – Season 4 – Wallflower (NBC Universal Television Music)
- 2012: WB: Men in Trees (ET Upgrade) – Leave The Light On (Warner Bros. Television)
- 2012: RIS – Dream (EMI Music France)
- 2012: NHK: Soko wo Nantoka – I'll Be Here (EMI Music Japan)[33]
- 2014: NHK: Soko wo Nantoka 2 – Best I can ベスト・アイ・キャン (Universal Music Japan)[34]
Television appearances
- 2008: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – (Ep. 16.107 – NBC Studios)
- 2008: The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson – (Ep. 5.1 – CBS)
- 2009: Later with Jools Holland – (Ep. 34.4 – BBC)
- 2011: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – (Ep. 19.140 – NBC Studios)
- 2011: Dancing with the Stars – (Ep. 12.13 – CBS)
References
- ^ a b c "Priscilla Ahn: A Rising Star's Modest Approach". NPR. May 20, 2011. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ a b "Priscilla Ahn". Happening @ Michigan. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ a b Cihak, Izzy (2014-05-02). "Priscilla Ahn: Deliberately Deserted and Back Again". Philthy Mag. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
- ^ a b c Hamlin, Andrew (2014-05-02). "Songwriter recalls lonely, idyllic childhood, & feeling 'different'". Northwest Asian Weekly. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ a b c Carlson, Julie (October 10, 2014). "Dream goes Ahn". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ a b c "Priscilla Ahn Biography". LetsSingIt. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
- ^ "Debut album hints at good things to come from Korean-American singer Priscilla Ahn". San Jose Mercury News. 2008-08-26. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn Pictures, Albums, Ringtones, Videos". Starpulse.com. 2011-04-20. Archived from the original on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ (Feb 21, 2011) Amos Lee on World Cafe NPR News, Retrieved April 212012
- ^ Leahey, Andrew (2008-06-04). "Artist of the Week: Priscilla Ahn". Paste Magazine. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
- ^ "Grey's Anatomy Music - Singer-Songwriters From the Grey's Anatomy Soundtrack". Folkmusic.about.com. 2008-06-10. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ TV.com (2010-09-02). "Ghost Whisperer - Season 4, Episode 5: Bloodline". TV.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "Disturbia Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
- ^ Chagollan, Steve (2011-05-05). "Priscilla Ahn's angelic charms". Variety. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn Plugs In for February 25 'This Is Where We Are'". Hot Press. 2013-11-20. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
- ^ Monger, Timothy (2013-12-05). "Priscilla Ahn This Is Where We Are". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
- ^ Lim, Vincent (2011-06-28). "On Growing Up: Priscilla Ahn album review". US-China Today. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
- ^ Magazine, Audrey (2014-03-07). "VOICES CARRY: Priscilla Ahn". Character Media. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn Chart History Billboard". Billboard 200.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn ORICON NEWS" (in Japanese). Oricon. 4 August 2014.
- "Good day".
- "Natural Colors".
- "Home ~ My Song Diary".
- "This Is Where We Are".
- "Just Know That I Love You".
- "Priscilla Ahn Best".
- ^ "New Best of Album in Japan". Priscilla Ahn. 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
- ^ "Tiësto* - Kaleidoscope (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs - Various Artists - Credits". AllMusic. 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "We Were Here - Joshua Radin - Credits". AllMusic. 2006-06-13. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "Underwater - Joshua Radin - Credits". AllMusic. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "William Fitzsimmons - The Sparrow And The Crow (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "Popservations™". Popservations.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn & Rachael Yamagata Feature on Ashtar Command's 'American Sunshine' Album". a-Tunes.net. 2011-11-22. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ Magazine, Jigsaw. "Priscilla Ahn". Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Pacific Rim: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". WaterTower Music. Archived from the original on 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ^ "'American Pastoral' Soundtrack Information". Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ^ グローバル・プラス株式会社 (29 September 2012). "プリシラ・アーン、美しい日本語でドラマ主題歌を担当 - Priscilla Ahn - BARKS音楽ニュース". Barks.jp. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "Priscilla Ahn プリシラ・アーン・ベスト". Universal Music Japan. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website