Austin, Texas musician Heather Bishop, not to be confused with the Canadian artist of the same name, is a poet, singer-songwriter, playwright, and multi-instrumentalist
A solid studio session musician, since 1995 Heather has contributed vocals, strings, and light percussion to studio projects for bands in a wide variety of styles- rock, reggae, hip-hop, pop, hippiejam, folk, bluegrass, punk, and metal. She has played festivals such as Austin's now defunct AquaFest, Bob Marley and other Reggae Fests, Blue Grass Jams and Festivals, and the GoGirls Music Fest. In 2006 she was a featured artist on the Peace From The Porch stage at Houston's International Fest.
Additionally, Heather has been featured on Austin radio stations KOOP and KLBJ as well as local television morning programs. In honor of her activities and contributions to the local music scene, February 7, 2002 was declared "Heather Bishop Day" by Austin Mayor Gus Garcia. In 1996 and 2001 respectively, her music was selected for use in class assignments for students in women's literature and creative writing classes at Southwestern University and the University of Ohio.
Current literary projects include several plays, short stories, and a novel in progress.
Despite her singer-songwriter style and classical training, Heather has always had a proclivity for punk rock and heavy metal. She began a solo residency at Room 710 in Austin, Texas in January, 2001, opening primarily for rock and metal bands. A Live CD, "Graceful Riot at the 710", was released in April 2001, and delivered poignant and biting lyrics with raw vocal power and delicacy. The release illustrated why her fans range from hard rock to folk music lovers alike. She remained a weekly fixture at Room 710 until June 2002, when she took a break to rest and begin extensive pre-production for her next CD.
Currently working on the next release tentatively titled "Other Side of the Riot", Heather is experimenting with a fusion of folk and hip hop with radio-friendly rock and a new sensuous vocal styling.
More recent studio sessions have included Mark MacMinn's release of "Hot World" via harmony vocals and viola, vocal tracks on "Here" from the Houston-based band Pale, and vocal/string work on "September Songs" by Blue Cartoon. Additional recordings with various hip hop artists anticipate release over the next year. A jazz standards project is also in the works and will likely launch in early 2008.
"Graceful Riot At The 710" is currently available online via CDBaby as well as through Apple Itunes and MSN Music. Look for "Other Side of The Riot" online and at live shows in 2008.
