Meet Amanda Holley | Singer / Songwriter / Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Holley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, what role has risk played in your life or career?

This question stirs up so many emotions for me – probably because my biggest risks have led me to my most amazing miracles in my life and career – against all odds and circumstances! Had I not taken hundreds of risks great and small each and every day since childhood, actively choosing to walk in faith through so many waking moments – through every obstacle and seemingly impossible situation since birth, I wouldn’t be living my art in the first place – let alone get to end up performing my songs at venues I only dared to dream of as a little girl back in Newark.

Venues such as the United Nations, Sony Hall Times Square, Carnegie Hall, festivals and stages at Coachella, New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week etc . . . and working with multi Grammy and Oscar winning producers and co-writers at studios I thought were reserved only for “the lucky ones” in life . . . becoming a Grammy Recording Academy Member myself . . . My music carries me so much further than I ever imagined I could go – the art demands of me all that I am – 300% every day . . . when taking these risks, I give it up to the music and the Creator to guide me.

Adversely, like so many of us, there have been countless times when all logic and reason tells me to play it safe, walk the line, run from the unknown and further pain – that fight or flight that is so deeply instilled in me. In these moments, I’m shaken, momentarily paralyzed by fear . . . feeling like I either have to conform / compromise who I am on a soul level and give in to what’s being demanded of me by the industry or just walk away from my dream and purpose in this world . . . that nagging thought pattern that tries to tell me that a Bi-racial African American (from a Freed Slave Family) and Cherokee Native female who came from poverty and abuse can’t make it without giving in.

Yet somehow, there’s always something inside of me that pushes me forward and deeper into this journey and my sense of purpose in this world – one that is way bigger than I am – one that compels me to be stronger than I believed I could be – so I can be there for others the way that art and music has been there for me. Somehow, I’m always carried to a higher destination than I could imagine.

To sum it up, in hindsight, I have to say I’m so thankful for every single risk I’ve taken thus far – even the ones that ripped me to shreds or ended in heartbreak . . . even the ones that didn’t get me to the outcome or results I was hoping for. Somehow, I’ve grown from each and every experience the beautiful ones and the devastating ones alike. For every horror I’ve pushed through, the Creator always sends me another angel. For this I am eternally grateful.

Now, this is not to say that risks should be taken lightly – I’m a survivor myself, so I always like to vibe things over, think through all the possibilities and be as responsible I can . . . ultimately though – being an artist requires that we throw caution to the wind – over and over again in surrender to love, passion, and what it is we are born to create and share. I sometimes feel the biggest risk is choosing live in surrender to one’s path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Music is all that I am and ever have been . . . whether I’m singing, playing the piano or violin, or composing . . . or listening . . . I’ve survived on music since day one – I owe my life to the song and its power to heal, inspire, and uplift and am thankful to be able to be there for others the way music has always been here for me!

My favorite place on earth is the stage, singing to each of you. The stage is my home and has been the freest safest place in the world for me since I was just a little girl. So, I would say I am most excited about having the opportunity to sing to millions and billions worldwide for as long as I am on this planet and be there for my brothers and sisters in this world whilst fulfilling my soul purpose through love and art – especially during these turbulent times when so many people are in pain.

Even now, at the start of my journey, to be able to say that I came from homelessness at infancy, abuse in all its forms, poverty and abandonment – to being a Grammy Voting Member, now in a SAG motion picture with Title tracks of movies on Showtime, a member of SESAC, hanging with Ms. Aretha Franklin before she passed, and playing and singing my songs at Birdland, Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, The W Hollywood & Times Square, and on massive stages – it’s extremely surreal and humbling. If I can effect one person in a positive way through my art – then I become a force for good and my own journey becomes a living testimony to someone who needs to know that he / she / they can make it no matter how intense life has been.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

To start the trip, I would take my best friend deep into Malibu! I love hiking and exploring the cliffs and caves so that is a must along with a healing sound bath at Sorenity Rocks, and grabbing açaí bowls at SunLife! Absolutely love Topanga Canyon, Cafe on 27 for an escape from my intense schedule in the city and to reset before heading back to the set, rehearsals, or the studio!

Then, we would probably go to Melrose Trading Post in WeHO!! I love thrifting and getting inspired by / working with local designers (such as my dear friends – celebrity designer Paris LaDon) and they have such amazing vendors! For Nightlife, Selma Ave in Hollywood reminds me of NYC where I’m originally from!

So many of my friends in my community are always performing and throwing events at places like the Grammy Museum, the Bourbon Room, and the Peppermint Club, so I would make my bestie a VIP at all of those shows and events and probably grab some amazing food at Bacari afterwards – I love both the W 3rd location & Silver Lake! The diva in me loves vibing on Rodeo and, at the same time, I always have so much fun in the Arts District DTLA – especially when I get to see my cousins – and love to visit places like SAB Art Gallery or The Last Bookstore! I love this city so much and being a Gemini, I always find somewhere to go that inspires me and makes me so thankful and excited to be here!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I am so thankful to each and every angel who has come into my life – from birth up until now! There is no way I would have made it this far – or even survived my life if not for the support, love, kindness, generosity, and dedication of my mentors, friends, producers and co-writers, my amazing fans, and my team. To any of you reading this – I want to say again that you are my family and I am so thankful and blessed to you here for this journey! Also thank you, Kevin at Voyage LA / Shoutout LA for having me – it’s an honor!

It’s hard to narrow down my “shoutout” to just one person because I’m fortunate to have so many lifting me up – so for now, I will just say I’d love to shoutout my current team which consists of my manager RALPH COOPER II (Apollo Theater), Sandra DaCosta, Anre DaCosta, Brian Price, James Leach at SESAC, Mark Goldstein, as well as thank my late business manager – the legend Bert Padell and the late great Phil Ramone, my aunt, Pat Holley as well as Bob McHugh and author/coach Susan Young for all of the guidance in music, the business, and in life from the darkest of times to the most beautiful ones!

Website: listentoamanda.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listentoamanda/

Twitter: twitter.com/listentoamanda

Facebook: Facebook.com/amandaholleyofficial

Youtube: YouTube.com/listentoamanda

Image Credits
Profile image – Mikey Piliero at Strawhorse Studios, Los Angeles Image 2 – Timi Khulula Image 3 – Style LA Fashion Week at Pacific Design Center Image 4 – Mikey Piliero Image 5 – Sony Hall Times Square NYC by JGC Photography NYC Image 6 – Mikey Piliero Image 7 – DROM NYC Image 8 – Mikey Piliero Image 9 – Sony Hall Times Square NYC by JGC Photography NYC