Singer-songwriter and poet Amelia White has been at the forefront of the East Nashville folk-rock underground scene since moving there almost two decades ago. A prolific writer, she has recorded a dozen albums, the common theme being no-holds-barred fervid personal searching. Her latest album, LOVE I SWORE, produced by her like-minded peer, Kim Richey, delivers some sweet melancholic songs together with no-nonsense rockers. It's a full-blooded addition to her impressive back catalogue, stacked with songs that explore the everyday challenges artists face pursuing their chosen career path.
Congratulations on your latest album, LOVE I SWORE, which we recently reviewed at Lonesome Highway. Do I get a sense of bitter sweetness throughout much of the album? Touring and relationships get both the 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down'.
Thank you! Honestly, it's very rare I don't write with a sense of bitter sweetness. I see life as full of ups and downs and challenges, and I'm a truthful writer, though it's not always as autobiographical as people think. It's challenging definitely to maintain a strong home life with a partner and even friends while touring regularly. I don't see it as bad or good, just the hand that's dealt to me, and I think writing helps me explore the shadows and sunlight of my life, and others lives.
The album follows ROCKET REARVIEW from 2022 and typically follows a nearly two-year cycle between recordings. Do you attempt to achieve that discipline with your music?
Good question, and in some ways it's a simple answer: I write a lot of songs, and I want to share them, so I do the work to make that happen. In the past I waited for someone to help me, but as time has gone on, I just do the work. It's full time, but I believe in my songs, and I also have to make a living… you know the dog's got to eat:)
That 2022 album featured songs written during the pandemic and lockdown. Did the enforced shutdown of touring options stimulate you as a writer?
The pandemic provided me space to dig into poetry writing. I self-published a book. My songwriting is nearly always stimulated, but it was interesting the topics it brought up and I loved the strangeness of that time. Being sort of a core introvert, I savoured that time, even though it was financially challenging, and scary. Maybe I like to be scared? Haha.
Getting back to the new album, LOVE I SWORE. Are the songs 'written at the moment' reflecting present personal or imagined scenarios?
I'd say the songs off of LOVE I SWORE are mostly motivated by going through a dark valley in my marriage. But I never write completely personally, so there is a palette to them that is not just me. Sometimes something someone says to me in a bar, or even a bird flying can give my own story a different depth and angle. Co-writing also broadens my own story. I hope everyone can relate to what I write and feel it in their guts.
Tell us about the background of the album's title.
The line in the title track song is "I Swore the love I meant and I still mean the love I swore" it's really a pledge and plea of a love going through changes. And I think people who are together a long time either sort of get numb, or they face and deal with the roller coaster of two lives together. I think there's a risk in a long love that in making it better you may lose it. In this song the protagonist was hoping not to lose it. It was written in Scotland.
Outside the harsh realities and life's obstacles, there is irrefutable optimism in songs like Don't You Ever Forget and Time.
Oh yeah, I'm an optimist and a dreamer. How can an artist not be? And I really believe in the beauty in humans and the love. And I like exploring people going through devastating things, because that's when they find that halo of hope.
Can you tell us about your connection with Kim Richy, an artist who has been dear to our hearts for many years?
I have been a fan of Kim's for a while. I was friendly with her from seeing her at shows here in Nashville, and we shared some mutual artistic friends. My manager thought I should work with a strong woman, and Kim was on the top of my list and it was a real thrill for me when she said, "yes." I know she vetted me, and I know she dug my songs. I learned so much from her, and she really put her heart and soul into producing the album.
You also include poetry writing in your skillset. Is it more challenging to write the perfect poem or the perfect song?
Ha - I'm not sure I've ever written ANYTHING "perfect"… but poetry is harder for me, because I don't do it as much. I love it though, and I think when I'm not touring as much some distant day I'll dive in more. I paint too, and honestly these forms that I'm not as comfortable with have made me grow as an artist.
Having resided in East Nashville for many years and having first-hand experience of the often-unheralded talent in that community, would you recommend a fledgling artist to pack their bags and relocate there, given the current opportunities to connect remotely?
Honestly, Nashville has gotten so expensive. So that's an obstacle that didn't used to exist. However, there's such a rich pool of great musicians and songwriters of all kinds here, and I think it's still a supportive and beautiful community. I think diving in to all the opportunities, and lowering expectations is the way to go. You can't get that online. I always recommend new folks here lead with respect and kindness. It's pretty transparent when people are just trying to force their way here in Music City.
You have a busy touring schedule over the coming months, including your album launch show at our favourite music room, The 5 Spot. Will you tour solo or with a band, and how does the dynamic change when performing the songs in both settings?
Good question. I've learned that to be an above average songwriter I need to embrace both playing with a band and playing solo. I nearly always tour solo just so I can eat and pay bills. It's not how I hear the songs I write, but it's got this freshness of how they were when I wrote them. And that's such a special place that if I can tap into that and give the audience the songs from that place, it really works. I've gotten to be a much better musician from playing solo. And playing with a great band is a total luxury and I've learned to arrange from doing that. It's such a joy here in Nashville to play with a group of incredible friends who are truly excellent at their instruments.
You stand alongside Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters, Amy Speace, and Kim Richey, to name but four women who have worked outside the mainstream in Nashville, stuck to their beliefs, and successfully wrote and recorded their visions. Given the crowded marketplace and industry pressures, is that a possibility for younger artists presently in Nashville?
What a compliment, thank you. I admire those four women greatly. I think the obstacles you mention help to weed out the pretenders from the contenders. That may sound harsh, but you've got to want to live this life and be successful from your core, and I have had to make sacrifices, and more importantly DIG DEEP!
Thanks for spending the time talking to us, and good luck on the tour.
Interview by Declan Culliton