Amalie Bryde - Lay Down (EP) + 10 Questions
Photo Credit: Mia Jorgensen
Amalie Bryde is ready to stand up and be counted on debut EP ‘Lay Down’.
Danish-born, London-based artist Amalie Bryde has unveiled her powerful debut EP “Lay Down”. Diverse in style and sound, the six track project blends jazz, soul, and R&B and sees Amalie explore a variety of situations where she has been forced to ‘lay down’ and succumb to love, mental health and societal pressures.
A fiercely creative body of work, the EP opens with featured single “NO” which is a celebration of individualism and being numb to the noise that surrounds us. Title track “Lay Down” follows, with Amalie delivering an empowering critique on gender inequality told through a jazz-tinged lens. “Say What It Is” reinforces Amalie’s broad palette with an ethereal vocal display that finds her pleading for forgiveness to a former lover, before new track “Mine” takes on a lighter and more joyful sound to celebrate being head over heels in love.
Touching single “Colours” is up next, which is the only song on the EP where Amalie wants the listener to lay down and be vulnerable with her. Its mellow guitar work and warm, personal lyrics further emphasise Amalie’s dynamic artistry, before new single “Slave To My Mind” provides an impactful outro. This fresh offering gives a raw insight into Amalie’s own experiences with mental illness and includes lyrics that have been taken directly from her personal journal. Bravely tackling how negative thinking can affect progression, it confronts how she, as a woman in the 21st century, feels the need to punish herself on a daily basis for not being good nor beautiful enough. Its melancholic R&B sound reinforces the song’s frank lyrics, with this debut EP boldly showcasing her desire to confront powerful topics within her music.
Amalie sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Through dancing. It all started when my mom introduced me to dancing at a very early age. My mom would always play George Michael, Ricky Martin, Michael or Janet Jackson in her aerobics classes. I’d be making dance routines and performing everywhere I could as a kid. I copied my mom so often that even today my dad still says I look like her when I dance.
My interest in singing started back when I was in school choir, and I started to go to music school to join other choirs, bands and later private lessons in singing and piano. But, it was when I discovered ‘Boogie’ (sort of like a Danish MTV) and was exposed to JoJo, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Shakira’s hypnotising hips that the performer in me was brought to the surface.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
When I was little, I belted it out to my favourite albums like Craig David’s ‘Born To Do It’, Jennifer Lopez’s ‘This Is Me Then…’ and Beyoncé’s ‘Dangerously in Love’ which really got me into R&B. But undoubtedly, Erykah Badu’s early work has the biggest impact on me. She opened my music world up to include so many powerful new voices from D’Angelo to jazz divas like Billie Holiday’s and Nina Simone. Lyrically speaking, it was John Mayer who made the first lasting impact on the importance, power and beauty of song writing.
There are SO MANY artists I would be gagging to work with…Terrace Martin, Phlake, Mahalia, Daniel Caesar, Still Woozy, Hans Philip, Cleo Sol, Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper, Tom Misch, Hope Tala, Maria Dahlstrøm… I could keep on going!
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
Music costs and loneliness for sure. Being all alone while refining my artistry and making things happen has been challenging. One of the biggest struggles for me over the past year, specifically from an artist’s perspective, has been not being able to perform! I’ve been prepping for the last two years and I’ve forgotten what it’s like to get up on a stage and connect with a live audience.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Rhapsodic, resonant and reflective.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Performing live at BBC Radio London on Robert Elms show in 2019!
Photo Credit: Elise Michely
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Firstly, learn an instrument and how to produce your own demos. I’ve always looked over the producer’s shoulder whenever I’ve been in a session with someone in the past, always trying to learn a new trick. Still do it now!
Also, JUST JUMP IN! Stop saying “I should…”, “I can’t”, “I don’t know where to start” or “it’s not good enough” and dive in head first! Always ask for advice, be persistent and just keep on going. It takes an incredible amount of hard work and many failures. Things will start to come your way when you start doing things your way.
If you’re reading this and wondering “how can I get kick started in music” send me a DM on Instagram! I’d be happy to help and give any advice I can.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
Laura Roy and Erika de Casier.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
WizKid – Made in Lagos (still).
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Crochet, hand making merchandise, DIY projects, workouts, hanging out with my boyfriend, friends and visiting my family in Denmark.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
My songwriting book, phone (my memos) and snacks!