Q&A: meet Amila, New Zealand’s rising star

Apr 26

Contemporary RnB-pop newcomer Amila’s recently released track Talk It Out is the new boy bye mantra we’ve been waiting for. It’s got a catchy hook and a soulful oomph thats helped create a perfect pre-night-out tune.

Chilean born, Amila relocated to New Zealand when she was seven years old. Not knowing a whole lot of English, music was one of the ways she learnt the local language. The Kiwi newcomer was fast learning how to express herself in more ways than one.

Light and melodious in colour is a key consistency between the music she has released so far. Her debut single Owe It All To You is like listening to a gentle a hug. You can really hear the similarities in the way she sings, it’s incredibly genuine and thought-out. We even get to hear a snippet of her native tongue (delightful by the way) and we can’t wait to hear more of it.

Earlier in the month we asked Amila a few questions about her new single and what life is like in NZ.

Here is an exert of our conversation:

What was it like growing up in New Zealand?

I had a very good childhood, I had the support of my family. We Made sure to explore as much of New Zealand. Every summer we would travel to New Zealand’s most popular places from the South Island to the North.
I’ve always felt comfortable and safe being in NZ, I never had any issues in school or with other kids. That’s why I call New Zealand my home because of all the opportunities it has given me.

When did creating music hit your radar?

This has always been an interesting story to tell, whenever you hear artists talk about their music journey they always tend to say things like “since I was 3 I knew I wanted to be a pop star” but for me it never crossed my mind. I sang as a child but it was never really an option for me, especially being from a very traditional culture when the arts isn’t a job.
My plan was to go to university and study medicine but everything changed when I was 16. We had a producer come into our school to do a workshop for people that wanted to learn how to write songs. My music teacher placed me in the class. I would always perform with my guitar and she thought it would benefit me. I sat there listening and something clicked for me while watching the process and being able to write anything and make it into a song was just fascinating. We got sent a task to write a song and present it to the class in the next class.
During this week my young 16 year old heart got broken for the first time. I always laugh thinking about it because back then it was the most horrible thing possible. I got home and I remember being so upset i didn’t know what to do. I felt an urge to sing and play, I knew that singing would give me peace it always did. I started playing words just came out. I decided to record it on my phone, it felt right. Next week in class I presented my song and everyone was very impressed especially since it was my first song. The producer then offered to record it at his studio and made into a demo. I fell in love with writing music and it was so freeing, being able to express myself without anyone having to talk back. That song lead me to Sony Music NZ where I got signed only 3 months after making that song. At the time, I only had a few songs but they believed in me and I knew I wanted to pursue music.

What artists did you listen to growing up?

I grew up on ABBA and a lot of 80s classics because of my dad. I know I got my music taste from him, he listens to anything and everything. I had a lot to choose from, classical music, Latin influences, rock ‘n’ roll. I truly would say pretty much anything. In saying that, I know I have a special place in my heart for ABBA, by singing their songs I learnt English and it brings a lot of childhood memories performing their songs for the family. It brings me a lot of joy listening to ABBA.

What song do you have on repeat at the moment?

It’s usually a different song everyday depending on the mood but definitely Somebody Else by the 1975. It’s a song you can listen to when you wake up or go to sleep. There is something very calming about it that’s why I haven’t been able to stop listening to it.

Tell us about your new release ‘Talk It Out’, what does this song mean to you?

Talk It Out is more letting yourself free from your past, writing talk it out I was in a place where I didn’t want to be upset about a someone. I was tired of remembering an old love. I decided that the only way to let it go was to write one more song about it. It’s a very special song because I was honest I didn’t change anything about how I felt. I wanted it to be groovy and fun because this was an exciting new chapter in my love where I was able to say thank you, but goodbye.

How did you go about creating a song like this?

I respected my emotions a lot, I don’t force a happy song on a day where I’m not happy. The best type of music is when it feels real. It sounds so simple but I know a lot of people try to create something that just isn’t natural. I make sure to listen to myself and on this specific day for Talk It Out I wanted to let everything go.

Okay, what’s your go to karaoke song?

For some reason it has always been I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.

Finally, sum yourself up in three words for our readers.

Hardworking, but a wonderful mess.

Amila has an infectious tone to her voice that has a distinctive softness to it. At only the beginning of her career she has already taken great strides to accomplish success.

Check out her song below or head to our Work/Study/Chill From Home ✌️playlist to hear more songs like this one.

By Samuel Seedsman.

Sam Seedsman