The singer Amy Macdonald reached the top of the European charts with her songs. Her new album is a reason for Macdonald to look back: In an interview she talks about her international career. And reveals what advice her grandmother gave her along the way.
In addition, the artist gives tips for increasing your own creativity and explains how you can find more serenity when performing through the audience.
FOCUS Online: How would you summarize your professional career in a few words?
Amy Macdonald: A lot of hard work. (laughs) Lots of sleepless nights. A lot of worries but above all a lot of fun.
You had your big break with the song “This Is The Life”. Looking back, what would you say was the price of success?
Amy Macdonald: I’ve been very fortunate to have always been surrounded by good people. There really isn’t anything I would regret looking back. Only one thing is sometimes annoying: when a song is so successful, there is a risk that people will not want to move on. (laughs) Then it’s very difficult to get radio stations to play anything else, something new, because they just want to play that one song all the time. But that’s actually a nice problem…
talent or hard work. What do you think is more important for a breakthrough in your business?
Amy Macdonald: I think it’s the talent that’s probably going to break you out. But I think it’s the hard work that will help you keep growing and keep going! I believe you cannot master one without the other.
Is there a person who inspired you personally? Or did you even have a mentor who shaped you in a special way?
Amy Macdonald: I didn’t really have a mentor. It was just the bands I loved that ultimately inspired me.
What was the best advice you received in your life? And who gave you this advice?
Amy Macdonald: The best advice came from my grandmother and it was the phrase, “What’s for you doesn’t pass you by.” It means that if you’re really meant to do something, then it will all happen! And it also means that things that don’t initially work out the way you envisioned shouldn’t stress you out too much. Eventually things will work out in the end.
How would you describe your development as a singer-songwriter in recent years?
Amy Macdonald: I feel like my development as a singer has come a long way over the last few years. My voice is much stronger now than when I started my career. I feel like I can control my singing voice a lot better now and I think it’s even more powerful now.
I think my songwriting skills have also evolved. I’ve been collaborating with other people and bandmates. And I would say that I’ve been able to grow myself as a songwriter through the ideas and impulses of others.
Did you also have moments of doubt? Or was it all too much for you at a certain point?
Amy Macdonald: I have moments of doubt every day. I think the moment you lose that self-doubt is the moment you get pretty screwed up.
There were times when I felt like this could all be too much for me. Especially at the start of my career, since I was still a teenager myself at the time. It was all overwhelming because there is nothing that can prepare you for something like this. But I’m glad I never stopped. I just made sure that I always had good people around me and built up a good, supportive network in the process.
Now you are releasing your new EP “Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over”. What does this Musil project mean to you personally?
Amy Macdonald: I think it’s great just to show how far I’ve come as an artist. The differences in the singing voice alone are really significant for me. I think this just shows everything in a newer, modern and exciting light. In addition, this new interpretation is probably even more personal and at the same time also corresponds to the music that I like to listen to myself. We used incredible live versions and it all worked really well.
How would you describe your personality? What influence does this have on you when writing songs?
Amy Macdonald: It’s hard to describe my personality. (laughs) I travel everywhere. When I write songs, everything has to happen very quickly. I’m impatient. And I think when I’m on tour it’s exactly the same with my personality: I don’t like rehearsing for hours. I prefer to just get things done. I think it comes in handy with songwriting from time to time to just try things out and just finish. On the other hand, it can of course also happen that songs are sometimes left half-finished.
What three tips would you give our readers for being creative in general?
Amy Macdonald: First of all, you have to have something that inspires you. It’s easier to write when you have something inspiring to write about. You probably need a nice environment. For example, an open window through which you can look outside.
And thirdly, always have a device with you for quick shots! I’ve learned over the years that I can’t always decipher my own handwriting. Well, I’ve written a lot, but unfortunately I can’t read what’s written everywhere. So it’s really good to take ideas. (laughs)
Do you still have stage fright before big concerts? And do you have any tips for our readers on how to deal professionally with stage fright?
Amy Macdonald: I’m very lucky because I don’t get stage fright before my own shows. But I get a little nervous when doing a live TV show or live radio session.
I’m looking for tips on how to deal with it myself. So I’m not sure I have much to offer you here. But I think you should prepare as best you can. Make sure you know what you’re doing! Make sure you’ve really practiced a lot. And then hopefully everything goes according to plan.
Everyone probably has to present in front of an audience from time to time. What do you think are general rules to really inspire or even entertain an audience?
Amy Macdonald: Be polite and friendly! Feel free to crack a few jokes. I think when you have to speak in front of an audience, everyone in the audience wants you to do it well. Nobody wants you to fail. So try to stay relaxed. Remember that everyone in the audience is there to support you in your performance!
