When it comes to an artist introducing their sound to the world, they hope to capture an essence of who they are and the sound they possess. And, this is exactly what singer-songwriter Amy Allen has done with her debut EP, “AWW!”. Whilst already critically acclaimed, the artist on the rise her lends her syrupy tone and raw lyricism to tracks such as “R.I.P” and “A Woman’s World”, culminating in a masterpiece worthy of the name and one sure to cement her on a path towards stardom

When speaking on the new EP, Amy claims, “I didn’t really have a clear objective for the EP when I started, but throughout the writing process, I realised that each song was just a chapter in my own coming-of-age story. Learning how to respect myself and articulate what I want and what I believe in. Reflecting on my childhood and my relationships. Trying to find a balance between my work and my personal life. Understanding that it’s ok to take it all one day at a time.”

Upon the release of “AWW!”, the artist got candid with Wonderland on all things music. Head below to enjoy our interview with Amy Allen…

Hey Amy, how are you? How has this past year been for you?
I’m better than ever, really. The past year has been a roller coaster, but I’m so grateful to finally be touring and releasing the music I’ve been working really hard on.

With everything that happened last year, was your creativity affected?
It‘s a strange feeling to try to be creative when your heart is breaking for the world around you, but I think I gained a lot of appreciation for my career and how lucky I am to be healthy and doing something I love. It was also surprisingly nice to return to just myself, a bedroom, and a guitar.

How did you first get into music, what sparked the interest?
One of my older sisters was a drummer in an all-girl rock band in middle school, and they needed a bassist. I was only 9, but I begged them to let me be the 4th band member. I had never played an instrument before and I instantly fell in love. From then on, I started learning all my dad’s favourite classic rock songs on my electric bass (mostly the Stones), and once I got kind of bored of learning other people’s songs, I started writing my own! Listening back to those early songs is the most cringe-worthy thing ever, but it is also nice to see how free and fearless I was to make whatever the fuck I wanted.

Where are you from? Do you think your home town has impacted your sound?
I’m originally from a small town in Maine called Windham, but when I started high school, my family moved 45 minutes down the road to just outside of Portland. I loved growing up with the music scene there. Lots of bluegrass and lots of indie rock. Portland has my heart!

Your single “A Woman’s World” has just dropped, talk us through the production process and inspiration?
I wrote ‘A Woman’s World’ when I was home in Maine for the holidays. It was blizzarding outside, and I remember I was pacing around the house on a work call where I was having to advocate for myself to receive equal songwriting splits with my male co-writers, and I remember getting off of the call and just thinking, “damn… they really think this is their world and we’re all just living in it.”

And then, I started thinking about my sisters, my mum, and all the women in my life that are trailblazers, and I knew that I needed to write an anthem for them to sing in the face of anyone who has ever thought less of them because they were female. I thought of the line, “I know you think you’re God’s gift to earth, but you’re livin’ in a woman’s world,” and then I called my friend and sat inside writing the rest while the snowstorm passed.

It’s taken from your new EP, what was your mindset approaching the project?
I didn’t really have a clear objective for the EP when I started, but throughout the writing process, I realised that each song was just a chapter in my own coming-of-age story. Learning how to respect myself and articulate what I want and what I believe in. Reflecting on my childhood and my relationships. Trying to find a balance between my work and my personal life. Understanding that it’s ok to take it all one day at a time.

The “R.I.P” lyrics are rather direct! Can you tell the inspiration behind that song?
To be honest, “R.I.P” is one of those songs that I wrote for myself without any real consideration of ever playing it for anyone. But after writing it, I found myself coming back to it constantly. There’s just something so raw and emotional about it because I was having a real come-to-Jesus moment in real-time while writing it.

As for the inspiration behind the song, I don’t think all art needs to be broken down into bite-size pieces. I think some art can just be for the creator to know the origin and for the listeners to draw meaning from it however they like. I will say, though, that it was one of the most cathartic writing experiences of my life, and I love how it became one of the cornerstones of the EP.

What do you want people to take away from your music?
I love music because I love how it feels to listen to a song and feel like that song was written just for you. To see a piece of yourself in a song and hold onto that forever. I want to give that to people, just like Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow gave that to me. I think the more I understand myself, the more truth comes through in my music, and writing about the ups and downs in my own life is the only way I know how to be shamelessly honest.

Who are your inspirations?
I’m a die-hard fan of the singer-songwriter rocker chicks from the 90s. It’s nostalgic and emotional to me, and the storytelling blows my mind. Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy”, Joan Osbourne’s “One Of Us,” and No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” are some of my all-time favourites.

What are you most excited about? What’s next for you?
Being on tour, FINALLY. I really love the record I’ve made with the help of so many amazing friends, so to be finally sharing these stories and emotions with an audience is surreal. I am loving every moment of it.