Nestled between cornfields near the center of Nebraska, Leesha Harvey finds inspiration for her music in all things. Using her unique perspective, this young singer-songwriter paints musical pictures in broad strokes and perfect detail that tug at the heartstrings, while keeping you totally immersed in the music.

Leesha started writing music at a very young age. She was 7 when she actually put notes on staff paper to create a song. Even before that Leesha recalls playing around with music. "We didn't have a piano for a number of years," Leesha recalls, "so my parents bought this little Casio keyboard (the kind with the keys less than ½ inch wide!). I remember spending hours playing with that, experimenting with sounds and beats, making up little tunes."

Although she has been writing music for the piano and keyboard for some time, Leesha's current impetus for song creation has been learning to play the guitar. "It has opened up a whole new outlet of songwriting for me," she says "and I like to think it's my best stuff to date." Musical influences fall all over the spectrum, from Bach to rock. Leesha says that she listens to music in such a wide range, that it's hard to pinpoint what influences her the most. "I adore Patty Griffin and would have to say that she is the biggest influence on my current style."

Leesha has an entire fan club on YouTube and it is partly due to their nudging that she placed her

on Amie Street. When asked which of the videos that she's posted there meant the most to her, she responded, "Runyararo- A Song for Zimbabwe; My mother lives in Zimbabwe, so even though I've never been there, I care a great deal about that country. I wrote this song after talking to my mom on the phone. She was describing how difficult life was for the people of Zimbabwe. She told me how she had started filling her backpack with peanut butter sandwiches every morning so she could distribute them to all the children that she passed on her way to work that were begging on the streets.

Runyararo - A Song for Zimbabwe appears on the Amie Street offering, along with Gotta Stay , a song about the difficulties of marriage, and the rewards of staying together, Don't Hold It Against Me , about the regrets we all have from past relationships, and Beautiful Destruction , which explores the beauty that comes after the destruction of something else.

Blessed with talent, Leesha is humble, yet hopeful, in her desire to make her mark with her music. This summer she has plans to record a full-length CD with the kind of production quality that she has only been able to wish for thus far. Still, if we only have these home demos, we can see into our own souls and touch a part of us that hides beneath the surface. Leesha's music is strong yet gentle, and evokes images seemingly dredged from the dark recesses of our own memories. That is a talent worth savoring!

Featured Tracks:
Runyararo - A Song for Zimbabwe
Beautiful Destruction