Amanda St John - A Blues Powerhouse and one not to miss.

 

I managed to catch up with her earlier this week for a quick Q & A. So here goes - 

 

HB: What is the highlight of your singing career so far?

ASJ: Recording and writing in Nashville with a host of writers including Grammy winner Benita Hill (Garth Brooks, Crystal Gayle etc) and Grammy Winning Producer/Writer Jon Tiven (BB King, Wilson Pickett, Rolling Stones etc). I was so grateful to get the opportunity to work with them and am happy we were able to create music together. 2 of the songs that I wrote with Jon Tiven appear on my debut album 'Grow'.

HB: Gin or Prosecco?

ASJ: Both!!!! These are my 2 absolute favs! I'd probably start on Prosecco and then move onto Gin though.

HB: What's your favourite venue played at so far? 

ASJ: I played an intimate acoustic set in St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast and that was pretty special. The atmosphere and acoustics were so lovely.

HB: I know from meeting you at Blues on the farm that you are no shrinking violet, nor do you suffer fools gladly. You've got fire in your belly, which I love. What do you think is your biggest motivation?

ASJ: My biggest motivation is to be true to myself and to who I know myself to be. I love to create, I love to connect with others through music (both fellow musicians and the audience) and that brings such freedom of expression and joy. I spent the best part of the 20's trying to conform to expectations and be something else, but it's only since I had a near death experience in a car accident (about 6 years ago) that I've embraced music as my life and since doing that I feel truly happy. I want to look back and feel proud that I did the best with my opportunities instead of wasting them.

 

Amanda at Whispering Bob Harris' 'Under The Apple Tree' Live session.

 

HB: What is your favourite song off your album and why?

ASJ: Grow is probably the most personal and autobiographic of them all and I love the way that other people connect to this song. The lyrics are about me fighting back from a negative experience and vowing to learn and grow from the situation rather than being broken or defined by it. Every time I perform it live there are tears in the audience as we all experience our own struggles at some stage. This is my favourite part of songwriting when a song resonates with another person and brings clarity or healing.

HB: You may be aware of my slightly pimped up version of Marry, Date, Avoid. Here is my specially tailored version for you... You're in a room with Ed Sheeran, Louie Walsh and a Beagle; Who do you choose to share a pizza with, spend a night 'out out' with and volunteer to do Tougher Mudder (in a tutu)?

ASJ: I'd chose to do a night 'Out Out' with Ed Sheeran, have a laugh, a few drinks and a good old jamming session on the guitars.
I'd share my pizza with the Beagal and Louie Walsh would just have to do the Tougher Mudder challenge. I can't see myself wanting to sit down and chat with him so seeing him mucky and running in a tutu would be highly entertaining!

HB: If you weren't a singer what would you like to be?

ASJ: I still work a little on a freelance and volunteer basis working with youth groups, charities and people who are long term employed as a personal development/employability mentor and singing/songwriting coach. I love this work as it is so rewarding to pass on skills and experience and encourage others to live their dreams. If I wasn't singing I'd probably be doing that full time.

HB: Who is your favourite singer (& song) of all time?

ASJ: Joni Mitchell is one of my favourites (there are so many that I admire and learn from). I just adore her alternative melodies as well as the emotion and character in her voice. Her song 'Both Sides Now' is so insightful, it moves me every time I hear it.

HB: What do you consider to be the 3 best characteristics in a human being?

ASJ: Kindness, integrity and gratitude. If we could all be a little more like this I feel that the world would be a very different place.

 

Make sure you catch Amanda St John on one of her tour dates, book here:

 

 

More details, social media links and further info can be found at www.amandastjohnmusic.co.uk and Listen & Buy here.

 

A snippet of our interview at Blues On The Farm 2016