Cinder Well + Saul Adamczewski at The Courtyard Theatre

Cinder Well is the musical project of California-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Amelia Baker. Characterized by her singular vocals, Baker's compositions chart a sonic journey through cinematic soundscapes, weaving surrealistic lyricism with stylistic elements inspired by traditional music, ballads and doom metal.

There is a sense of reverence to this music, which unfolds at its own pace, a spacious and unhurried cranking of tension reminiscent of the glacial work of acts like Bell Witch. There is weight and resonance, heavy in ways which do not rely on distortion but by the depth of the lyricism and expansive arrangements instead.

Amelia Baker’s musical foundations began in the DIY anarcho-punk scene in Santa Cruz, California, where she joined legendary cult folk-punk band Blackbird Raum. The bridge between folk-punk and traditional music led her to move to Ireland, where she learned Irish traditional fiddle music and ballads from the music community in County Clare.

Cinder Well’s first two full length albums were recorded with Nich Wilbur (Angel Olsen, Ragana) at The Unknown in Anacortes, WA, a converted church studio founded by Phil Elverum of The Microphones and Mount Eerie. ‘The Unconscious Echo’ was released in 2017, followed by her critically acclaimed ‘No Summer’ in 2020 which utilized a bleak, stripped down sonic palette and held moments of stillness as Baker reflected on living in the West of Ireland.

Cinder Well’s most recent album ‘Cadence’ was released in 2023, recorded by Harlan Steinberger at Hen House Studios in Venice Beach, California. The album holds curiosity for moments of grief, settling into discomfort with a quietly interested and patient eye through reflections on the passage of time, isolation and reverence for nature. It embraces expansive soundscapes, featuring baritone electric guitar, drums and string arrangements by Cormac MacDiarmada of Lankum.

In February 2024, Cinder Well performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Lars Gotrich of NPR wrote “A crimson glow surrounds the dark undercurrent of Cinder Well that only grows brighter as the music goes deeper into the unknown.” Cinder Well has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists including Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter, Lankum, and has performed at festivals including Other Voices, End of the Road, Prepare the Ground and Amplifest.

”A crimson glow surrounds the dark undercurrent of Cinder Well that only grows brighter as the music goes deeper into the unknown.” - NPR

“At times dappled in California sun, there’s also a glimpse of harsh reality underneath” - Clash

”Cadence consistently finds the dark places and, rather than bring them to light, finds beauty in them.” - No Depression

“…captivating exploration of the overlap between the human condition and our folklore traditions.” - Hot Press

“an astonishingly powerful piece of work that seems to have been conceived in uncertainty but realised with the supreme assurance of one of the most consummate songwriters around.” - KLOF Mag