Reviews

The approach of Hired Guns: Portraits of Women in Alternative Music offers a distinct view of these ten musicians’ lives. Instead of the usual hype one expects, Kramer and Byrne encourage their subjects to tell their stories from lived experiences so that we may better understand how they navigated the world without the added self-promotion or publicity machines that we all court for our commercial success.
To read this collection is not simply to read about ten random lives of recording and touring musicians but ten impactful lives of dedicated souls who beat the odds through their unique blending of resilience and effort.
From the Foreword by Jennifer Finch

The key to the book's success is the breadth of musicians interviewed. From musicians that clued-in fans would recognise to those that have laboured mostly beyond the fringes of mainstream commercial success, all have fascinating career journeys to tell.
The Irish Times

The storytelling is reminiscent of a bygone era, of lives well lived. The reader will find the distinct casualness captivating, as if, at any time, any of us could be as brilliant just by taking an opportunity; however, the theme of vulnerability is obvious and reveals that great success comes with great sacrifice. One moment leads into the next, and each new moment is more spectacular than the last.
As you gently flip through the pages of this book, you will stumble upon a most noteworthy compilation of imagery that captures the essence of various moments briefly described amongst the pages. With its timeless allure, the deliberate choice of monochrome adds a touch of artistic sophistication to the visuals and further amplifies the storytelling narrative woven throughout the book.
Hired Guns exemplify female artists’ challenges and triumphs in the music industry and the importance of finding a supportive and appreciative audience. Despite their obstacles, their talent and determination allowed them to gain global recognition; whilst you may think this story is strictly aimed at a female crowd, it speaks equally to all audiences. Wayne Byrne closes with a genuinely touching postscript crediting Amanda Kramer’s ability to take the interviewing lead, and praising the women, “By the very nature of their work, they are there to support the music in the moment while remaining in relative anonymity working in the shadows of a frontperson. Their role is to bring skill, not ego.”
Louder than War