Meet Amy Jay | Singer Songwriter & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Amy, how has your background shaped the person you are today?

It seems natural to start with beginnings, so here we go! I’m originally from Florida. My early childhood was in Miami where I remember nostalgic snapshots of always being near the ocean or pool, and the Cuban food, music and culture. My grandparents introduced me to Frank Sinatra, Gloria Estefan and classical music (my paternal grandparents played in an orchestra). I also very much remember the 90s pop and alternative playing on the radio. I also remember my dad blasting rock in the garage tinkering with his car on the weekends. And through those influences, I started my love of music with dance first (I never stopped moving as a child), then violin, then piano, then voice.

I moved to Orlando in middle school to a house near a large chain of lakes, spending many a weekend on or in the water. Writing this now, I am realizing just how much water has formed my identity. It was always nearby, and is still something I gravitate towards when seeking clarity, stillness or comfort. I found my voice trying out for the middle school play getting cast as Glinda in The Wiz, and the show choir director recruited me. From there I was a full on choir and orchestra nerd (and proud of it haha). I stumbled upon songwriting in high school when my inner world needed expressing. I started journaling out of necessity and music was the main tool to turn my emotional world tactile.

I’m beyond grateful to my grandparents, parents and teachers for always being supportive and encouraging throughout my upbringing. I’m not sure I would have pursued this wild career had I not had that solid foundation. Though of course no childhood is perfect, I recognize the privilege to have never doubted support from the people closest to me (and apparently from the natural world as well).

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’m an alternative folk independent songwriter. I’d like to think that what sets me apart is that I have a desire to create in the place that doesn’t quite belong in one clear box. I’m naturally melancholy and silly and always walking that line. My creative choices are not determined by whether it feels relevant to the masses but it usually ends up striking some common cord. When recording I usually choose elements that both stretch my imagination and seem just a little off, which also feels akin to my personality.

I worked a while in the music industry and quickly realized that full-time work plus pursuing music was not sustainable for me. So I learned graphic design and have been able to balance part-time work as a designer so it frees me up to pursue music on the other days. A unique byproduct of working part-time on something other than music has been finding inspiration for music when not focused on it.

This is in no way an easy path nor has it ever been. I am still battling the roadblocks every day. The biggest thing that keeps me going is having a community of creatives around me struggling together, and connections with the people who resonate with my music. Maybe challenges aren’t meant to be overcome but rather are there to drive us towards more human connection.

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?

This is just off the cuff, but the places to go are endless:

We would eat at Bo’s or Black Seed Bagels, Jacob’s Pickles, Smorgasburg in the summer, Da Andrea on 13th street, Bunna Cafe for vegetarian yummies, and Vinegar Hill House or Clay if we’re feeling fancy.

We would start the day at my local coffee shop Double Dutch or Blue Bottle for coffees (tea for me), then later on explore cocktails at Dear Irving or Sugar Monk, wine (and apps) at Sogno Toscano in the village, and then Other Half or Grimm for beer.

If you’re with me we would likely hit all of the vintage and thrift stores (L Train, Monk, Beacon’s Closet to name a few), then visit the Cooper Hewitt and Natural History museums (explore the northern half of central park in between), and then see either the New York or Brooklyn Botanical gardens (to see the cherry blossoms if the time is right), see a show likely at music hall of Williamsburg or a friend’s show downtown, and then take a day trip on the metro north to hike and eat/drink in Beacon on the weekend.

All that said, just walking around will guarantee some interesting sights and people. Nyc never fails!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

So many people come to mind, what a hard question to answer! I am a firm believer that none of us are where we are without the impact of a multitude. But if I had to pick, besides my husband Gabe and family (and my dog Huxley), I would like to recognize my high school teachers, especially Keith Galasso (Mr. G), who were the people who were constants in showing me my value before I saw it in myself. Their early support is still something I lean on often.

I would also like to shout out my producer Jon Seale who has been with me since the beginning of my “official” career, helping me find and develop my sound and wearing all the hats through my many evolutions (read: identity crises) through the years, and is a solid artist in his own right.

One book would be the Artist’s Way, of which I am about to work through again. There’s too much more to name but I’ll stop there! Thanks so much for having me!

Website: amyjaymusic.com

Instagram: @amyjaymusic

Facebook: facebook.com/amyjaymusic

Youtube: youtube.com/amyjaymusic

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ztk56WZhRA5oIiMaNYuh3?si=-iuAarpiQEG124–PLb9Kg

Image Credits
@derymusic and @lydiakenniephoto