Artist Amie Penwell breaks through this Fall with her intriguing new single and video for "Windows." The singer-songwriter who quickly proves herself as a both a musician and performer, brings to the table a song that is memorable from stop to finish, in the form of "Unstoppable." Taken from her upcoming and highly anticipated release "Windows," due out on Election Day (11/6) she turns heads with her own unique voice. We recently caught up with Penwell as she shares her inspirations, aspirations, and what the upcoming year holds.
1. What is the inspiration behind the latest single release and video? Let's dive in shall we?
I'm in! It's my version of Public Enemy's Fight The Power, Or Rage Against the Machines Killing In The Name Of. (The F**k Y*U I won't do what you tell me part), but coming from love- at least trying to. If I had more testosterone Unstoppable would probably be more aggressive, but I have to perform it as me, a woman who lives in a slower groove frequency. The inspiration for Unstoppable came out of the inspiration I felt from the #GrabYourWallet Boycott that sprung from my dear friend Shannon Coulter. We all needed to do something tangible to move through the dark cloud of my country's government. It came tromping in from my own personal need to change the channel from the inhumanity, insanity, separatism, anger and narcissism we have all been barraged with. A navigation that demands us all to take a very challenging look at ourselves. I know what it feels like to come from anger. I wanted to see what love can bring to the table. It's the declaration that lifts the strings on and unites the songs on my upcoming record Windows a look into the lives of 9 women facing moments of major change. Each a real woman in my life all trying to bridge our personal lives with what is going on in our society.
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic blend of your own sound?
Hitting a series of personal bottoms and a need to heal from a great many things. Discovering my sound was my way through. My intuition, trial, error, coming back over and over again to my own sense of what tones were healing and brought healthy long term relief. Learning to trust myself, my ears, my gut that the blending of feelings could be translated into music that opened me up instead of closed me down. Using sounds that actually resonated with my frequency. The relationship between Spirit, and my experience.
3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?
I love the question. Not sure how to answer it other than I have to get out of my own way in order to let the song through. It can begin with an uncomfortable emotion, or a line will come flying across my mental radar and I will know to get it on paper straight away. I have learned over time to trust and follow those moments. To keep my mental, emotional, physical, relational, spiritual channels as clean and clear as possible so I am receptive.
4. What are your favorite venues to perform at? and if you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
I have run the gamet of venues, lots of large house concerts, clubs a few amphtheaters. If I can trust the sound person I am happy. Live can be naked eye examish and personal. My music is intimate even with it's infusions of alt rock aggression. It takes alot to offer yourself up. I have gotten better at accepting that I just need to give the songs to people as myself without any facade whether it's myself alone on a piano, or a seven piece band. That has taken alot of courage on my part as I am not an extrovert, but I know that the heart connection happens when I perform live and that I need to do that on a much larger level now...... but a I am more comfortable in the studio.
5. How do you create your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect piece come together?
When I get the uncomfortable feeling that a song is coming I begin to clean the house. If you were to be a fly on the wall I would appear a mad woman. I talk to the song. I ask it questions. I get answers. I close my eyes and sit at the piano and listen for the melody, or listen for the mood of it. Sometimes I keep other music going as to keep myself out of the way. I'll let the lions share of the song through and then the editing process begins. I am not precious about cutting lines. That can go on until it's committed to tape. Each song has had it's own timeline.
6. How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines your sound to you?
I don't like to sing fast. The song can have expedience to it, but I need to be able to find my way with delivering it at my own vocal pace. The songs are largely intimate conversations that I am inviting the listener into, or a painting of a portrait that needs to come into focus for the listener to envision the scenerio. I liken most of my songs to short films. I color in the sounds and instrumention to match the vibe of the content. Intimacy and honesty define that sound.
7. This year is already shaping up to be a huge year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in 2018?
To find my audience. To find the right booking agent for me and book a proper tour in spring/summer/fall of 2019 in both America, Europe, Japan (or where ever the songs are needed). To place the work in films, and/or create a film project/series out of the songs........ and of course write and record more songs.
Find Amie Penwell via Online Outlets:
Website: http://www.amiepenwell.com
Facebook:
Twitter: http:www.twitter.com/amie_penwell
