Artist Of The Week #270 - Amanda Cy
This week’s Artist of the Week is Stockholm-based artist and producer Amanda Cy - who has just released her most ambitious project to date with new EP ‘Waterworks’.
Waterworks is a project that could soundtrack all-number of teary moments. From punchy opener "Know Nothing" which plays with catharsis and the relief of letting go to the EP's emotional centre "A Mother's Touch" a delicate ballad which details Amanda's relationship with the grief, her relatable lyricism is paired with a spectrum of pop-leaning production for every mood.
Discussing the project as a whole Amanda says; "writing Waterworks has been one of the most rewarding experiences ever. After a challenging period in my career and losing some of my belief in my own artistry, I never thought that I’d be able to finish a body of work, but with each song emerging, I was writing my way out of a pretty long creative slump."
She took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey there Amanda CY - how are you? So your EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
HIIII! I’m so great! I’m happy that it’s finally out! This music has been on my hard drive for so many years and I’m thrilled that I get to share it. It’s been mine and only mine for ages and now I can trauma dump it into the world. I hope it finds its people.
It is called ‘Waterworks’ - what is the meaning behind that?
Each song feels like a different element/part of nature to me: Yangtze being water, Know Nothing being fire etc. Water is the source of all life and there is a tear-jerker on there too (A Mother’s Touch) which tied the whole ‘Waterworks' concept together.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
Most of it was recorded in Stockholm with the producers Teo and Frans (Teddy Failure), some of it in my family’s home, in the Swedish archipelago, surrounded by the ocean. All of the songs were created quite differently, A Mother’s Touch started as a voice note of the chorus, which cemented to me in 2019, whereas Know Nothing was written in a single session and then finished shortly after. I had been in a creative slump for a while and my friend advised me to start producing to get out of it, mostly to try and get some autonomy in moving songs forward. So I’m really proud that the foundation of most of the songs on the EP are self-produced and then finished, together with my favorite producers, Teddy Failure. It sped up the process a lot and their belief in me made me more confident in my production skills. Visually, most of the artwork for the EP has been very DIY and came together on the fly. The EP cover was shot my boyfriend in our living room and the Yangtze video was shot in a freezing cold car park, a week before release! I prefer focussing my time on the music :)
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
It’s an EP about love, loss, exes and doubts. Pretty much my go-to lyric themes right there. Other artists influence me a lot as well. I’m a big fan of Holly Humberstone, Rachel Chinouriri, MUNA, bülow, but I also listened to a lot of UK drum n bass music while making it. While finishing this EP, I also started reading ‘The Creative Act’ by Rick Rubin, which also inspired me to not be derailed by self-doubt.
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Probably the series One Day. Infatuation, doubt, greif, highs and lows - all that jazz.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
“I’ve heard so many stories you’ve turned into fiction, I made up some more so you’ll fit my description” from A Mother’s Touch. That song is about missing someone you’ve never met, and for me that line kind of added a sweet and innocent layer to a pretty sad cake :)
Now the EP is out there - what next?
I CANNOT WAIT to put my next EP out. We’re putting the finishing touches on it now and I love it.
