About That Song: Amanda Grace
About That Song #29
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 29th edition of this series, I chatted with Amanda Grace, a Minnesota singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist on the cusp of releasing a new album. I asked her to tell me about the songs that had an impact on her as an artist.
Amanda Grace. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Sarah: Hi Amanda! Happy New Year and happy new RECORD! I’m so glad to have a chance to talk to you in advance of the release of your new album, Give Me Away. Do you remember the song that you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Amanda: I actually don’t remember a pivotal moment when listening to a certain song. But I always felt I had to write; it was like breathing for me. I worked out a lot of things while songwriting on my mom’s piano as a kid, and it always felt like magic when I was alone singing my guts out. I don’t remember ever thinking about “being a songwriter” and didn’t realize it was a thing until maybe right before my first record. It was just a part of me and I didn’t think much about being a songwriter.
Sarah: Oh wow—that feels like the kind of place one might hope to get to after years of songwriting! To think that it’s always been this natural activity for you sounds really special to me (because it most certainly felt awkward to me at first). Was there ever a song by another artist that carried that same “singing my guts out” magic for you?
Amanda: I remember playing “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams as a 12-year-old and I was proud that I finally figured it out and could sing it at the same time. Took a while! Lol
Sarah: The first CD I ever bought with my own money was the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Soundtrack precisely because I need to be able to hear that song over and over. I had the sheet music and would work to marry the singing and playing, but I’m not sure I ever quite figured it out. If I hear that song I cannot not sing my guts out!
Back to your own writing: Was there a song somewhere along the line that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment as you were writing, or after you finished it?
Amanda: No, as I said I didn’t think of myself as a songwriter for a long time and even now feel that certain songs might just be for me, and that’s okay.
Sarah: The more I write, the more I grow comfortable with the idea that some songs will never make it past the “finished writing” stage. They remain in the “just for me” pile.
Amanda: I will say I had a moment when finishing “Rainbow Skies” that felt very powerful. It felt like the song sort of dropped on my lap and even the cello parts rang into my head before ever hitting the studio.
Sarah: I would gladly accept any moment when cello parts appear in my head—it’s one of my favorite sounds.
I love a song that asks questions, of the singer, or of the listener. The title track from Give Me Away features some excellent (and earworm-catchy) introspective question-asking. Can you tell us about that song?
Amanda: “Give Me Away” really explains where I am as a human right now—as a wife, parent, community member etc.—and all the roles I’m trying to juggle. I think I’m writing about how I question if I can do all the things without letting go of my authentic self in the midst of it all. Sometimes if I spin my perspective a bit, I can smile or find humor through the constant struggle—and find that the “giving of me” can work to help others’ lives be a little bit better. I think if we all give what we can, we will fill up some of the emptiness in the lives of those around us.
Amanda Grace’s Give Me Away album artwork. Photo credit: Janelle Kieffer Photography.
Sarah: I appreciate that you come from that generous space when writing—if I share this, perhaps it will shine a light somewhere. I am here for that forever and always.
Here we are, still in the newness of a calendar year, and you have a song for that—“New Year”— tell us about that song.
Amanda: I think it’s similar to “Give Me Away” in that we are always being pulled in a million directions and need hope for a reset in the upcoming year. Our family had a big change this past fall and so we’re hoping for some refreshing moments in the new year. I didn’t think much of this song when I started writing it. I liked it more when Lady Jo of The Farmers Daughters joined up with me on it… and now I actually can listen to it and enjoy how it turned out.
Sarah: Sometimes the right collaboration can bring a song just where it needs to be. (Also—The Farmer’s Daughters! They’re so lovely!) This is your 8th album (congrats!). You worked with Matt Patrick over at the Library—he’s an excellent songwriter as well as a producer. Did you get a chance to co-write with him at all?
Amanda: I shared the chorus to “All We Need” with Matt; he seemed to like it and so we wrote the rest of it together. The song is an effort to bring people who disagree on things together, hoping that we all can remember kindness over judgment. And that all we truly need is one another’s support.
Sarah: Kindness first, yes please. Thank you so much for talking with me, Amanda. Wishing you refreshing moments in the new year, and best of luck with all things album release!
Amanda: THANK YOU SO MUCH SARAH!!!! You are amazing!
Amanda Grace celebrates the release of Give Me Away on Thursday February 8, 2024, at Icehouse in Minneapolis! Doors open at 6pm and the music starts at 8pm with Fathom Lane opening. Get more info and a link to tickets.
Listen to “Give Me Away”
Give Me Away Album Credits
Recorded with Matt Patrick at The Library; Minneapolis, MN
All We Need
Matt Patrick - drums, percussion, drum programming, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, pump organ, acoustic guitar, Melodica, BGVs
Best Part of Me
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick - rubber bridge guitar, Hohner Paint, Synthesizer, BGVs
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass guitar
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick - drum programming, synth bass, nylon guitar, synthesizer, organ
Give Me Away
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - rubber bridge and electric guitar
Matt Patrick - organ, Mellotron, BGVs
Hey Pretty One
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick - Acoustic guitar, piano, Mellotron, synthesizer
Love Yourself
Matt Patrick - drum programming, percussion, synth bass, electric guitar, piano, synthesizer, Mellotron
Rain or Snow
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick - rubber bridge guitar, synthesizer, upright piano,
Mothers Lullaby
Matt Patrick - drum programming, rubber bridge guitar, synthesizer, synth bass
New Year
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick -
The Last Ones
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick - drum programming, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, piano, organ
Wouldn’t Be You
Noah Levy - drums and percussion
Ian Allison - bass
Steve Bosmans - electric guitar
Matt Patrick - synthesizer, Mellotron, Wurlitzer electric piano, Hammered Dulcimer, BGVs
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
