Amanda St. John hails from Northern Ireland, and music is something that’s been a part of her life since the beginning. “I’ve always been singing and writing, before I even knew I was writing songs,” she says. “I was just coming up with melodies and rewriting the lyrics to tunes – it’s always been such a part of me.”
Because music is such a part of St. John’s identity, it’s no surprise that it was a source of strength for her when she survived a serious car accident. “It was like 300 feet down a mountain,” she recalls. “I had no pulse, I was unconscious with a head injury. I don’t know how spiritual you are, but I feel like I could have left. I really was fighting to stay. I asked myself, what do I need to do to get out of this? And as clear as day, it was like, sing. I was going, all I have to do is sing? Well, if I get out of this, I can do that!”
And she did. Her single ‘Grow’ has been used in ad campaigns internationally and played on radio stations throughout Ireland and the UK. “With that song especially, a big thing for me is the honesty of the lyrics,” she says. “It’s about overcoming our own negativity, which is something I think a lot of people can relate to.”
“I’m a wee bit older,” she says. “My music is a bit more mature – I don’t always fit with what’s new and cool. But I would say that my music is very honest and raw. It’s even got a bit of that Motown sound. I’m a country girl from Ireland, so everyone’s like, how could she come up with a Motown sound? It surprises people, because there’s not too many Irish musicians doing that.”
See: Her play Whelan’s with support from Runabay on February 12.
Hear: Her debut album, Grow, available now. Check out the video for "You Blew It," from Grow, below.
For information including benefits, key facts, figures and rates for advertising with Hot Press, click below
Advertise 
