Amy Steele
Amy Steele is set to return with her new single Eyes On You, which sees her team up with Mario for the first time.
We caught up with the singer/songwriter to chat about the new track, the upcoming EP and what lies ahead.
- You will be releasing your new single Eyes On You next month, so what can fans expect from this latest track?
Eyes On You is an interesting track as it has Mario on it; that was very exciting. It is an RnB track, but I think that it definitely has other elements to it. So I am excited for people to hear it.
- The single sees you team up with Mario, as you say, so how did that collaboration come about? And how did you find working with him?
A song-writer whom I work with a lot over in the States was working with Mario at the time, so he played Mario and asked him if he wanted to jump on it? Mario liked it and was like ‘yeah’. And I was like ‘definitely’ (laughs).
He is crazy talented. Even the takes that he didn’t use and the ad-libs and stuff I was like ‘wow’ it was amazing. He is such a professional. It was just great for someone like me, who has followed his career, to be able to get that chance to see him work.
- How are you finding the early response to the single so far?
Honestly, I am just so happy that people like it. It is not the first song that I have put out, but I think every time I put out a new song more people seem to hear it.
Every time I am just really grateful for the great response that I am getting from people. It just fuels me and makes me want to do more (laughs).
- The video has quite an interesting concept so can you tell me a bit about that? And how involved where you in that process?
We just wanted something that reflected the mood of the song; it is hard to explain. Once we had the track down... it is such a smooth song, and I really wanted that to be reflected but also the fact that it is not an easy subject. The person that did it did such a great job.
- There is a new EP on the horizon so how will this track introduce into the rest of that record?
I really don’t know. At the moment, I am in the studio, and I am making so many songs and different sounds; this is just a reflection of the RnB side of what the EP might hold.
I don’t even know which songs are going to be on the EP at the moment; I have got more than enough to finish (laughs).
But I just keep on going back because I keep on coming up with brand new ideas and I just... I am really excited for the EP but at this point in time I don’t even know what people are going to be hearing (laughs).
- How is the recording coming along?
It is great. I really love spending time in the studio, so it is really relaxed. So far, it has been really fun, and I just love it (laughs).
- You have worked with the likes of The Monsters and The Futuristics on the producing side of things in the past. So how have you found working with them? And what have they brought to your music?
So getting the chance to work with people that are as talented as they are really just enhances anything that I am capable of. I learn so much with them.
- What were you looking for in your producer for this new EP as you move your music forward?
I think that there has to be some sort of rapport. I need to work with someone who doesn’t just let me come in and sit down; I sometimes find that I can keep my ideas to myself until someone is like ‘tell me’.
So it is really nice to work with people that I have worked with before as I like to feel comfortable with the people that I am working with; it really does make it all easier.
- How hands on are you when it comes to that side of things? Is it something that does interest your?
Most of the time I actually have written a large chunk of the song before I have met up with a producer, so I tell them what I am imagining for the song. There is a song that I wrote that I had written with the idea of just having an acoustic guitar at the beginning.
Because the song is already half written I did push the initial direction. However, at the end of the day, I am not a professional producer, and I trust the people that I work with. They are so talented that I do let them go with that idea and make it their own.
- Mario features on the new single, as we have already talked about, so are there any other collaborations to watch out for on this EP?
There are (laughs). But, as yet, I don’t think I can tell anybody (laughs). Songs that I have already released have featured The Game and Kevin McCall, so they are probably going to be on the EP as well. But we are going to have to wait and see what happens.
- Earlier, you talked about a writer that you work with in America so how are you finding being over in the States? Is it something that you are looking to do more of going forward?
Yeah. I would love to work with people all over the world as every country has its own amazing talents.
I am looking forward to developing myself as both a song-writer and a singer and I think that working with different people will help me do just that.
- Is there a plan to take your music overseas - particularly to America?
Yeah. I have talked to people over there, and the song has got some response over there; it has been premiered on various websites.
I definitely am considering going over to the States, as they do have a really good scene as well.
- Where did your love of music start? And what bands/artists were you listening to as you were growing up?
I like all kinds of music, and I think that that is something that will be reflected in the EP. Throughout different stage of my life, I listened to all sorts of different music.
When I was younger, I listened to a lot of Mariah Carey, as well as country artists such as Keith Urban. I also enjoy artists such as Maroon 5 and Adele.
At the moment, I am really into J Cole and Drake. But I think that I just enjoy music, so any good music I will get really involved in (laughs).
- Finally, what is next for you going through the second half of this year?
I am going to finish the EP - I am going to narrow down the songs. Enough is enough I need to get that out (laughs).
Then I am going to finish my fourth year of medical school - I am at university at the moment. I am really excited because I don’t know what the future holds, and that is the most exciting part of it.
- How are you finding the balance between medical school and music?
It is challenging because both do require a lot of time and effort. But I really enjoy both so it is not a difficult thing when you are doing something that you enjoy.
Amy Steele - Eyes on You featuring Mario is released 6th October.