Amanda B Perry is releasing her third album – List of Lovers. It’s a look at many forms of love and relationships looking backward, looking forward and sung with Amanda’s amazing passion. You can see the album release on Nov 8 at Century Oaks Studios Meyers Barn.
List of Lovers is your third album. If you could speak to yourself before you produced your first album, what advice would you give yourself?
Well sometimes I need to pinch myself when I hear this is my third album! If I could go back and tell myself anything it would be to not be afraid to ask for what you want! Most of the time there is a way to make anything happen that you can imagine for these songs. And… usually if you are working with the right people, everyone wants these songs to be all they can be!
You Said has such a dreamy sound but heartbreaking lyrics with a tinge of hopefulness. Which came first: the lyrics, the music or the idea?
Ooooh thank you! Yes.. “You Said” is a sad song about the feeling of not being wanted. In these lyrics I’m working through all the levels of grief in ending that relationship. The self medicating mantra of “Oh the same as before, ain’t nothing changed but the weather”… and the truthful statement that follows.. “Ain’t nothing changed but my forever”… This grows throughout the song, alongside the oohs, which I have always felt is the building levels of grief. Yes, you are right the hopefulness arrives at the end with the call and response with the piano. I feel I can hear coming to terms with my situation at the end. This song started with the oohs.. so I would have to say the melody! ..As usual for my songs.
Re Find Me starts with a telephone call – like so many classics. I love it! How did you decide to start with that?
Thank you!! This song makes me smile so big! This is a fully digitally produced song by Eric Blomquist, other than the piano played by David Smith. I had this desire to make a song that had some power behind it, and since it is a taboo love story, asking the listener to feel for the antagonist, I really wanted it to have a different vibe than my usual sound. When Eric sent me the first draft and I heard the intro smoothe and sexy, then explode into that big drum, I knew I wanted a connecting point that brought your ears in.. so I start it by calling and starting the same conversation that the song lyrics also begin with.. to kind of intro the storyline…
What is the inspiration for My Old Heart – stories from the past, the imagination or a compilation of every woman’s story ? And how do you hold those notes?
My Old Heart… ahh… This song is a letter to my younger self. I think at some point we all look back and think, “what would that younger version think of what I have done with this life? Is it good enough? Did I pick the right path? Did I follow through with big dreams? Choose the right love story?” I was inspired by seeing this old box of mix tapes that I have; many of them are of me singing and chatting with friends. Listening back I had such big dreams.. And I think she would be proud of what I am doing with this life. The song comes to a big (long holding) finish.. Saying to my old and new self, this is ME! For better or worse. That hold was a fun thing to do… Breath control, and good coffee at the studio!
Please tell us about the upcoming album release.
I will be releasing all the wonderful new music on Digital downloads, CDs, and for the first time Vinyl on Fri November 7th! The album will be able to stream anywhere. Bandcamp is the best way to buy physical copies. I am having a wonderful celebration at the Meyer Barn up in St Joseph, MN on Sat Nov 8th. My dear friends The International Treasures and their full band will be opening the show! I am so very lucky to have a full band bringing all the magic to my songs, and we are going to have so much fun! The show begins at 7:00, doors 6:30, BYOB. Link : https://events.humanitix.com/amanda-b-perry-list-of-lovers-album-release-show-with-special-guests-the-international-treasures
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