She’s young, she’s fresh, and she’s a Scottish singing sensation! Amy Macdonald has been on an incredible journey to stardom since 2007. With her deep and husky voice, combined with her indie and pop style and friendly personality its no wonder she’s on a role. Beating Duffy, Adele and Gabriella Cilmi in winning the Best International Newcomer at Germany’s Echo Awards and reaching platinum and multi-platinum status in 12 countries, Amy is now one of the UK’s most successful female singer-songwriters.
Despite her success the 22-year-old is still as grounded as she was back when she was an unknown teenager looking for her first break. When I got the chance to speak to Amy, her humbleness is what struck me first – not even being a WAG fazes her.
Engaged to footballer Steve Lovell, who plays for Glaswegian football club Patrick Thistle, Amy is not the least bit scared of the current football relationship scandals of Cheryl and Ashley Cole and John and Toni Terri happening to her. Amy and Steve remain intact, their love as strong as ever. “Oh, they [public and newspapers] speculate all the time about people cheating in their relationships, but it doesn’t bother me.” In fact, Steve Lovell plays a big part in inspiring some of her best tracks on her sophomore album A Curious Thing, along with her everyday life, family and friends.
After her hectic schedules, performances and preparation for the release album ‘A Curious Thing,’ family girl Amy loves nothing more than going back home to Scotland.
“Scotland’s great,” she says passionately, “It’s home – full of history and tradition. Scotland’s so vibrant and the nightlife in Glasgow is the best.”
So, what is Amy like on a night out? Is she naughty or is she nice? Admitting that she has a naughty streak, I probe her some more and she lets loose that she can’t say no to a good gossip, and she can be very naughty about it too! That could be when her confident side takes charge, the side of Amy that hits the stage. Giggling, she insists she may be a little naughty, but she’s mostly nice. “I don’t really have an alter ego, I can be very confident, but it’s still me.”
I’m sure Steve Lovell would have something to say if a fierce Amy came out of nowhere and started rocking the stage and swinging from the chandeliers. Laughing she agrees, although with a little hesitation! “Mmm…he likes the nice me!”
So, sweet girl with a naughty streak Amy, says her number one priority is to continue to promote her gigs, stay focused, and work non-stop for her UK tour that is fast approaching at the end of March. And, that’s exactly what she does, sometimes with no time to just chill out. “When I do get a break, I don’t do much – just watch TV!” Maybe it’s a sci-fi programmes I suspect as has a slight interest in creatures of the alien kind. “I would love to ask Barack Obama about the cover up story on the alien-ship that landed in America. I really want to know if it’s true! Gosh, he’s such a powerful man, I would love to meet him.”
Other than President Obama, Amy is not interested in meeting anyone else. She’s not the kind of girl who chases after celebrities – she finds it hard just getting around the fact that she’s amongst those celebrities. Regardless of her awards and her many TV appearances – which have ranged from Loose Women, Friday Night Project to This Morning, Amy still blushes when other celebrities praise her music. Late last year, Hollywood actor Gerard Butler held a party to promote his film ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ with Jamie Foxx and on the night started raving about how much he loved Amy’s album leaving her flattered and astounded!
Well, Amy’s going to have to get used to more flattery because her musical talent just gets stronger and stronger. Not only can Amy create folksy Indie music with a twist of Pop, she’s mastered reggae! With a love for her guitar and other instruments, on tour, her and her band made a reggae version of the whole of her first album – now that’s something I would love to hear. What on earth will this talent young Scot think of next?
See Amy Macdonald perform on the following dates:
28th March – Inverness, Ironworks
29th March – Edinburgh, Picturehouse
31st March – Leeds, 02 Academy
1st April – Manchester, Academy
3rd April – Bristol, Colston Hall
4th April – Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
5th April – Bournemouth, 02 Academy
6th April – London, Shepherds Bush Empire
Get tickets here – www.gigsandtours.com or www.gigsinscotland.com
Words by Melissa Lewars