Originally from Birmingham, England, Amy Pearson moved to the other side of the world to become a musician. Now, as she releases her first album Who I Am, Amy looks back on her journey.
Arriving in Australia: When I first got here, it was hard because I didn’t know anyone. It was very quiet after signing because they [the record company] were getting on with planning everything. Meanwhile, I was sitting in an apartment thinking I can’t phone my Mum because she’s asleep and I don’t know where the supermarket is and I’ve got no friends. So, I had a bit of a meltdown, but then the sun came out and I found my way.
Writing the Album: It’s kind of a diary because everyday for a year I was in the studio and I wrote exactly how I felt. So, I ended up getting a whole different rainbow of feelings and tempos and vibes. The album is quite eclectic, but it does flow because it is the journey that I went on.
Production: We were in lockdown for production for hours and hours. We would get there at 10 and leave at some ridiculous hour in the morning. Sometimes when we were putting together the drum beats or the bass, all we could hear is ‘boom tik, boom tik’ for hours. It’s like, I can’t hear this anymore – it’s driving me insane.
First Single – Don’t Miss You: I was in a long-term relationship from when I was 18 and then after I moved here, he just gave up and said he couldn’t wait and that I was going to leave him for some celebrity at some point. After he broke up with me, I just found this independence because I realized that I was on my own and I could do it. Then, he called back to say he wanted to be with me, but at that point I was like ‘I don’t miss you’. Thus, the song.
Video made the Pop Star: I had been dreaming about it for so long, and then to be there and have people fluffing my hair and giving me touch-ups, I felt like a pop star. When I sent that home to my friends and family is when the penny dropped for them that Amy actually is a singer.
Who I Am: I think you should be able to look however the hell you want to look and sing whatever you want to sing. I like to sing from my heart, but I also like to wear mascara. That’s just who I am. It doesn’t mean that my words are empty.
The Future: To be honest I didn’t see myself in Australia 5 years ago, but here I am. So, I dread to think where I’ll be in 5 years, probably in Timbuktu. I just let it [the music] do its thing and follow it wherever it takes me.
