Amanda B. Perry: 'My Time' Interview
Interview by: Andy Ellis, Writer @andysmileyjay
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Once you hear Amanda B. Perry’s voice on My Time you won’t forget her. If Cher had gone down the intimate singer-songwriter route, Perry is who she would sound like. Her vocals are as deep as the sound of the piano keys she strikes through much of the record, and she doesn’t let up throughout the entire project.
As I listened to this record I had thoughts and questions galore. Luckily, Amanda was willing to answer them in the interview below. The interview has been edited for clarity and readability.
Can you talk about “My Time” and how it became the album's title?
"My Time" came from the idea that sometimes we have to over explain to ourselves, and others closest to us why we are changing our life, or putting ourselves out there. Possibly convincing ourselves through sharing with others that we are worth the risk we are taking. I chose to make that the title of the album because songs that I wrote following "My Time" continued to tell that narrative of fighting self doubt, and building ourselves up, while creating our new path and story.
"Raindrops" seems like a metaphor for constantly getting knocked down when you're trying to break free and breathe. How did this raindrop idea come to be?
Yes, Raindrops in this song are exactly that, the self-doubt and self over analyzing that we’re doing brought on internally or externally. It's about continuously pushing through those thoughts that prevent us from making big life changes. Throughout the song I continue to push back, until finally breaking through the ceiling, and free myself of those self sabotaging storms. To begin a life that has all been worth it.
The piano and your vocals work really well together, and it's certainly a piano heavy record. What is it about the piano you connect with when it comes to songwriting?
The piano is an instrument that has consistently brought me comfort and creativity through my life. From listening to my grandma play, my mom, and brothers, I have always been surrounded by the sounds of a piano. Although never classically trained, I have just learned to hear chords that I love. I have always written my songs on the piano, until recently when I’ve done some co-writes with other more guitar forward songwriters. That has been a fun addition to songwriting, but I will always go back to the piano first. It pulls on all the emotional heart strings for me to write with,
How important is sequencing to you on your albums?
Both of my albums tell a story, and that was really important to me when putting them together. This album "My Time" continues in a path of self reflection, even throughout the love songs that are sprinkled throughout. It is important to me that a listener can put a cd in, or stream the album, and hear a theme or a story continuously told throughout.
The album closes on the most upbeat and energetic song of the collection, "Feels Like Home." To me, it feels like the song is about finding that comfort you can always turn to. What inspired this one?
"Feels Like Home" came from the wrapping up of 2020 and the crawl into 2021. When we were hoping to come back to what was a "back to normal" world again. When what we actually found was a lot of changes to our “normal.” Where we lived, who we were with, what our job was, all that seemed to be different for so many of us. The comfort of the word "home" seemed to encompass all of that to me, and so it is a hopeful song reminding us that we have to take a moment to take a good look at our new lives, and decide how we can recreate our best version of “home.”
When you were recording this album, were there any other favorite albums or artists of yours you would turn to for guidance and inspiration?
I have always looked at David Gray’s ability to bring a heaviness and a power to his rhythms, and the emotion that Adele always brings to her ballads. Going into this album, and adding so many different musicians to each song, I could feel comfortable asking for the heaviness and power to my rhythms and chords that alone I couldn't bring to the table. The musicians that joined me were able to bring ALL of that and it was a huge moment of collaborative success.
Is there a song here that you're proud of the way it came out? What about one that was particularly challenging?
The song "Change" comes to mind because it ended up exactly as I hoped it would. Beginning with the powerhouse piano by Adam Daniel, and adding the guitar solo by Ken Valdez along with the big heavy 90's rock ballad drums of JT Bates, and strong bass line by Ian Combs. Then finishing it off so sweetly with my producer Eric Blomquist adding some 90's synth. All of these separate additions brought this song to its fullest potential.
The fact that we created a music video for this song too, ended up being the cherry on top. There isn’t one song in particular on the album that was difficult for me, but on this album, I chose to give up playing an instrument other than my vocals. That created challenges and new learning moments for me vocally and rhythmically. But handing over the instruments and giving creative freedom to each musician paid off in spades. It is a beautiful collaboration of talent.
What do you want people to take away from this record?
It’s always my hope with any song I write, or album that I put out, that there is a song that I have written that touches you. That possibly reminds you of a memory, or a story that brings you a smile, or that you can relate to; something that maybe opens your heart to something new.
Your lyrics feel very specific and remind me of Sarah Morris and the attention she puts on her lyrics. Can you talk about the lyric writing process for your songs? Is it quick, or do you find yourself having to sometimes leave and come back with a rested mind?
It’s funny that you ask this question now because I’m currently trying to write a song that has been brewing for about three months and have not been able to get further than one line for it. (Laughs)! That doesn’t usually happen, though. Most of the time, lyrics come pretty fast once I have a melody and a storyline. As I grow as a songwriter, I’ve learned that the rhythm and rhyme isn’t nearly as important as the story that I’m trying to tell, and if I’m lucky, the rhymes will come, too.
The melody comes first for me whether it comes to me in my sleep, or as I’m driving or walking around. I’ll find a melody, record it, and then little bits of words will come to me that end up creating a story. The story doesn't usually begin as my story, but through writing and getting so deep into a song, it ends up being my story to tell. That to me is how my music becomes relatable to others.
Someone comes up to you after a show and they're very new to the local indie music scene. Who are three artists you recommend they check out?
Easy question! But also impossible! Instead of giving you three, I will recommend that you head over to the Singer/Songwriter Songwriting Challenge group on Facebook and watch an assortment of amazing musicians that join and put their heart and soul into a song that begins with a word or photo prompt. There you will find some of the most magical music ever, written by musicians in all stages of music careers. It is a beautiful thing.
