Amanda Stewart comes by the natural imagery in her country music honestly. Stewart grew up in the Montana mountains on her grandparents’ ranch, and she brings that sense of isolated grandeur to her music. Venom, her upcoming album due out on July 28th, embraces Americana grit and spare, minimalist pop. Her upcoming single “Barn Crazy,” compares homebody horses to a failed relationship, but in our interview Stewart explains how focusing on her home has helped her strike out on new trails.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Radiohead, Miranda Lambert
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
“Landslide.” It’s just so honest, simple and from the heart. The message is universal and timeless.
Explain the title of your album.
I chose Venom because it was the perfect way to symbolize everything as a whole. Venom is deadly, as are all of the hard things we all go through that can mess with my mental and physical health. I’ve built up a tolerance to it all, though, and that’s what this album is about.
How did you begin this project?
The first song I wrote for this album was “Saved” and it was what sparked the idea to write the rest of the songs. “Saved” talks about how I cope with all of the madness… and so then I decided I should talk about what exactly the madness was.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
Always be honest, try to think about how to say something that others can relate to– sometimes it’s better to be vague, but then other times there are really specific moments that are just so beautiful to not share.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
I normally start with a melody, and then put words to it. I feel like the music is what draws people in– at least, it does for me. It’s important to go with the flow on that, like– if you have words I want to become a song first, I often feel as if I have to force a melody on them, whereas if I start with a melody, I just start humming until the right words come out.
Who would you love to collaborate with? Why?
I love collaboration–Anyone who has something they want to say, really. I love the power of being able to let it all out, and be vulnerable with someone. So anyone who feels the same is someone I want to work with.
Venom will be out on July 28th.
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