Emotional themes from a new artist honing her musical talents
We’ve been lucky to interview Amie Jay who has released her latest track ‘Sweet Nostalgia’, she has combined writing, poetry and music since the early age of 5. After honing her artistic skills by studying Music and Dance at University, she has set off to pursue her dream of exploring a music career.
Amie focuses on feeling, intention, lyrics and storytelling through her music. Taking inspiration from Alanis Morissette, Dermot Kennedy, Valley, Kllo & Lana Del Rey, she uses emotional themes within her lyrics to convey feelings that listeners can relate to.
Can you name one formative influence on your music – A place, a person an experience?
Listening to Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill for the first time and realising it’s okay to be THAT honest in your music, and that really, being a songwriter is just musical storytelling!
Studio or live?
Ooh… I would’ve said live years ago but I really love building the layers, hearing the harmonies get added on and riffing away in the studio.
What was the first track you wrote?
I was 5 or 6 and it was called ‘Lost’. It really concerned my parents at the time! It literally just repeated ‘feeling lost, lost, lost’. Such a dramatic child…
Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with?
In an ideal world / if the sky was the limit, it would have to be Alanis (shocker), kllo, Kelly Clarkson, Dermot Kennedy, Ariana Grande, Valley, Ashnikko or Lana Del Rey. I also would love to collab with Emily Burns or babygirl as I think our styles would merge really well!
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing right now?
I work in musical theatre for my day job which is another huge passion of mine, so either that, dancing or being a therapist or nurse.
Where do you see your music in a year’s time?
I’d love to be working on an album and reaching a lot more people. I’m currently finishing off my EP, so an album feels like the next big step (and performing live more and maybe touring, it’s been a while). I’d want my music to continue being honest, with the production, songwriting and vocals stepped up to as amazing as possible!
Are there any subjects that you wouldn’t write about?
Honestly, not really. Unless it was super offensive, but that’s not my vibe at all anyway. Nothing is too personal from my perspective
Best gig so far and where?
That I’ve been to – Kate Nash was one of the best nights ever, the atmosphere was insane
What qualities do you think you need to be an artist now?
You need to be strong-minded to make music that sounds how you want it to, creative, honest and incredibly hardworking and organised. Plus, you need to be passionate and always want to do better.
What’s your creative process for creating your music?
It always comes from something authentic and then it’s just a need for catharsis, so lyrics usually come first for me and then they change and develop as I write the song musically
Do you follow a process or ritual before a performance to get rid of nerves or performance anxiety?
I always just try to remember that audiences WANT to see you do well and that nothing is ever perfect, so try to feel it instead of worrying about being ‘the best’.
https://www.instagram.com/amiejaymusic
https://soundcloud.com/amy-johnson-11
https://www.facebook.com/amiejaymusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@amiejay_?
