We introduced you the other day to Amanda Jones, who has most recently released the lyric video for her song, ‘My Goodbye’. Now we’ve caught up with the Oregon-based singer/songwriter, and taken the opportunity to get inside her head a bit.
EP:Â In a nutshell – what’s the Amanda Jones story?
AJ: I’m a pop singer/songwriter based in Portland, Oregon. I’m working to send a positive message through my music, and have spent the past few years performing, writing, and recording music. I finally feel like i’m headed in the right direction as an artist, and am stoked for the future!
EP:Â Describe your music.
AJ: My music is pop, with a singer/songwriter vibe. I like to tell stories through my songs, and I think that is so important as a musician. If I can connect to people by sharing personal experiences through song, and make a positive impact, then it’s all worth while.
EP:Â Who or what are your inspirations, musically and personally? Why?
AJ: I really admire Carly Rae Jepsen. She is a great songwriter, and has really developed herself into a strong pop artist with an amazing stage presence. I’ve seen her live show a few times and it always blows me away.
EP: Talk us through ‘Wait For Me Tonight’. What’s the song about, was it written for anyone in particular?
AJ: I got to co-write this song, and for me I took inspiration from a breakup a close friend was going through at the time. I’m typically the 3rd wheel (the struggle is real), so I just pay really close attention to what my friends are going through!
EP: What’s the songwriting process for you? Do you start out with an idea or do you just sit down and do write? Do you have to have certain conditions you can write in?
AJ: It’s different every time! Sometimes a title pops into my head and I start creating lyrics from there, other times it will be a certain chord progression that I write to or a general feeling. My phone literally has thousands of voice memos and notes with song ideas! It’s gotten slightly out of hand.
EP: If you could do it all again, what, if anything, would you do differently, and why? And if not, why not?
AJ: Honestly, if I could go back in time I would have started posting YouTube content sooner. It took a while for me to build up confidence in who I am as an artist. It really would have benefited me to get into YouTube a few years sooner.
EP: Who are the top 3 artists/songs you can’t live without? Why?
AJ: I couldn’t live without The Maine, The Summer Set or Parachute. Every song those bands release I fall in love with. Currently ‘Am I Pretty?’ by The Maine takes my #1 slot. I’ve been jamming to it nonstop for the past year now! I’m also forever obsessed with ‘Chelsea’ by The Summer Set (my alarm clock ringtone for the past 4 years) and ‘Forever and Always’ by Parachute. I’m a fangirl at heart.
EP: What question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does?
No one has asked me about my favourite vegetable before (it’s Kale, by the way). I recently switched over to clean eating and it’s the best!
Check out ‘Wait For Me Tonight’, by Amanda Jones:
‘Wait For Me Tonight’, is on Amanda’s EP, ‘Brand New Day’, and can be bought on iTunes.
Find Amanda Jones online on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and her official website, where you can also subscribe to her mailing list.
