South African singer Amandala lives in Seattle. She
released her English album “Far and Wide” in US in March this year and is now
on her way to SA to introduce the album to audiences here. She is also
releasing her first Afrikaans album “Alles Wat Jy Liefhet” in November.
Amanda Lamprecht, or in short “Amandala” has been making
a living playing music and teaching yoga among many other things in Seattle for
the past 15 years. In 2014-2015 she co-wrote and recorded her album 'Far and
Wide’ at London Bridge Studio Seattle with world famous music producer Jonathan
Plum.
London Bridge studio is well known for their work with
artists such as Macklemore, Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Alice in Chains,
Blind Melon and many more. Amanda says: “It was a dream come true and quite
unbelievable to have had this opportunity to make a record at London Bridge
Studio and to stand with my two feet where Eddie Vedder stood when Pearl Jam
recorded TEN, as I am such a huge fan of Pearl Jam.” The Control Room at London
Bridge Studio has a beautiful vintage Neve 8048 board, that has been there
since the beginning of London Bridge Studio and recently restored as the heart
and soul of the studio.”
Amanda will be returning to South Africa in October to
introduce “Far&Wide” to audiences here. At the same time, she will also be
releasing her debut Afrikaans album “Alles Wat Jy Lief Het.” The first single
off her Afrikaans album, “Jeffreysbaai”, will be released to SA radio stations
in September and the single “Nothing” off her English Album was released to SA
radios stations early in October. Amanda will also be in Jeffreysbay in October
to shoot the music video for the “Jeffreysbaai” single.
Music has always been part of Amanda Lamprecht’s life.
She started playing violin at the age of 6 and taught herself a few other
instruments. Amanda has an unorthodox singing style with nuances in her voice,
that hints at a deep intensity to grab the listener and draw them into melodic
catchy twists and turns that surprises. Amanda says that "People here
think that I sound like Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries or Björk. Plum
really liked my voice and said it has very unique characteristics. The album we
wrote together “Far &Wide” has a Seattle dream pop sound and vibe. People
in Seattle support local artists. There is a deep appreciation for musicians
who can write music. One will struggle to see bands or get any gigs in Seattle
playing cover songs. The music industry in Seattle is super competitive and the
‘Seattle Sound’ is original music all the way. Many musicians have moved to
Seattle to be influenced and inspired by the melting pot of talent within the
music industry here. Indie rock, dream pop, dream rock, post punk and grunge
music are the main genres in Seattle.”
Amanda actively participates in the underground music
scene projects in Seattle, where musicians that has never met each other would
meet up for 6-7 hours at a pro-studio to create a song from start to finish.
“Far & Wide” include some world class players: Andrew Joslyn from
Macklemore did all the string arrangements for this album and Davey Brozowski
drummer for Modest Mouse played drums for this album. The album was released 30
March 2016 with a sold out show at the Triple Door. A day after the CD release
show Amanda got on a plane and flew to South Africa to finish a full length
Afrikaans album she started at Earwig Studios with Don Farwell, in Seattle, as
a side project the same time she worked with Plum on her English album. Tracks
for her Afrikaans album “Alles wat jy lief het” was send over to be finished
and produced at Sunset Recording Studios in Stellenbosch with Jürgen Von
Wechmar.
The road is open for Amanda and her music career in
Seattle, but she misses her family and South Africa. Amanda will be in South Africa from October
2016 till March 2017 to promote the two albums she made. She will be returning
7 months in a year to do music in the States and the other 5 months to do music
in South Africa.
Comments
Post a Comment