The Zhoosh! Brighton Blog
AMiTY and GoGo Festival
Brighton based AMiTY has toured the UK and Ireland, playing Brighton Pride last year. Zhoosh was lucky enough to have a chat with her and ask a few questions about her music, GoGo Festival and her plans for the rest of the year.
ZH: Hi AMiTY!
AM: Hello Zhoosh..
ZH: Right, lets get straight to it. How would you describe your music?
AM: That’s always a tricky one. Whenever I’m asked this question I seem look over to a friend and pass the parcel on to them. The answer is nearly always, “I don’t know really”. To say I’m an acoustic, experimental, singer songwriter in a one woman band pretty much sums me up.
ZH: When did you start playing the guitar? and where did your love of music come from?
AM: When I was younger I was never really into music. I’m not ashamed to admit that Hanson were the first ever band I brought the concert VHS for. I think I just wanted to be them!
But at the age of 15 my best friend at the time took me to my first festival, which is where I discovered music for myself. It made me go home and write my christmas wish list, which simply said…Drum Kit. After a couple of years of taking it out on the drums I decided to write down my teenage troubles and pop to Argos to buy their finest £50 guitar. It wasn’t long before I’d taught myself a C, G and A and continued to write songs ever since.
ZH: You have played lots of gigs in Brighton, the Bees Mouth, the Freebutt and Komedia to name a few. Where is your favourite place to play? And where else in the country have you played?
AM: In Brighton my all time favourite venue to make noise in, has to be Hectors House. The Concorde 2 comes a very close silver but I’ve just had some great gigs at Hectors, with pinatas and all sorts.
Outside of the seaside I’ve played here, there and everywhere. It was only last year that I independently toured the UK and Ireland, staying in hostels and toad themed lodges, with a Toyota Yaris for a tour bus and living on flapjacks. I strangely loved it. Playing The Metropolis in Bristol was a highlight, supporting Matt Berry from Mighty Boosh and Mark Morriss from The Bluetones, with a huge backdrop of my face. Mr. Wolf’s in Bristol was great too, they gave you free noodles.
ZH: GoGo Festival kicks off in less then two weeks. Are you looking forward to it?
AM: I really am, if you can see past the nerves. I just don’t know what to expect really, but I have a feeling it’s going to be big. I’ve never had VIP camping before so I’m looking forward to that.
ZH: There are alot of big acts at GoGo this year, Uhuh Her, Heather Peace and Betty to name a few. Who are you looking forward to seeing?
AM: Mainly looking forward to watching Uhuh Her and hearing the classic from Betty. But if I’m honest, my aim for the weekend is to ask Heather Peace to trade guitars. I have a feeling what the answer will be.
ZH: Are you performing at Brighton Pride this year and if so, will you be in the women’s performance tent?
AM: I performed at the Women’s Tent at Brighton Pride last year and completely loved it. So I am hoping that I wasn’t a bad house guest and that they ask me back for this years proceedings.
ZH: You’ve become known due to hard graft and playing the circuit. What do you think of shows such as X-factor which bypass that?
AM: Wow! No one’s ever said that before. You do wonder if your hard work pays off, so thank you for saying that. As for X-factor, I’ve had my fair share of pulling out the soap box. I mean I can appreciate that some of these people do have talent and I’m not about to dismiss their dreams but if you want something bad enough you will go out and work for it and not sell your soul for it to be dropped in your lap. Those shows just make money, not raw talent.
ZH: If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
AM: I’d love to say that singing is all I do, but unfortunately I can’t quite give up the day job just yet and have to work to be able to afford to sing. By day i’m a kind hearted care assistant and do the odd bit of painting anddecorating. All round a useful person to have around the house.
ZH: What embarrassing songs might I find on your ipod?
AM: After already admitting to Hanson I don’t know what will top that! Let me have a look. No it’s official. I can’t top it.
ZH: What do you have planned for the rest of 2011?
AM: Well after launching my website iamamity at the beginning of the year, I’m about to release my first ever EP on 27th June. So pencil in a launch party at Hectors House on Saturday 2nd July. Then, who knows what’s to follow.
ZH: Do you have anything you’d like to say to your lovely fans?
AM: They are lovely and I can’t thank them enough. My closest help me so much to manage everything and give me a heads up on anything that I might have missed. Just to say thank you for all the support and encouragement, without that I wouldn’t be holding a copy of my own celafained CD.
Check out AMiTY’s website and her myspace page. She’s playing at GoGo Festival on Sunday 17th, if you haven’t already got tickets get them here. Hurry, its going to be a cracking event!
[...] 3. The Women’s Tent are also showcasing the wonderful Brighton acts, Greymatter and AMiTY. See my interviews with the lovely ladies pre GoGo Festival here and here. [...]