We had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Ayala, and here’s what she had to say:
Q: What was your songwriting process for “Rags to Riches”?
AYALA: Writing “Rags to Riches” was a fairly quick process. I remember going into my session with such bad writer’s block thinking nothing was going to come out of it, and a few hours later “Rags to Riches” came to be in its first form. Once I was able to finish out the demo I took it to my band, and we began working and rehearsing a full arrangement for the studio version.
Q: How did this tune come to you? Did it flow at once or did you have to take breaks before completing it?
AYALA: I finished “Rags to Riches” in one continuous writing session. The melody is usually the first thing that comes to me when writing a song, and like usual the verse melody came in the beginning. After getting a feel for the music I just started mumbling the lines “Paper town, oh you’ve gotta get out.” From there I started having a direction and story of where the song was going to go. The lyrics started flowing more so as a joke at first, but then the meaning behind the song became clear to me once I finished. When you tell people you are a musician they sometimes equate it with the materialistic things rather than the talent, so why not poke fun at the idea of that and write a song about outlandish dreams.
Q: What projects are currently in the works?
AYALA: When I went in to record Rags, I also recorded another two singles that are set to be released as well in the upcoming months. I have been actively performing and perfecting these next few releases and am excited for everyone to hear them. I also have been performing lives shows with my band quite often and am looking forward to some upcoming dates this fall!
Q: What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a musician?
AYALA: The best advice I would give someone who is interested in becoming a musician is to not be afraid to fail, and never care what anybody thinks of you. Music and art is so subjective and some people are going to love what you do, while other may hate it. The most important thing is that you love and are proud of your musical accomplishments and never stop because of what someone else thinks. Take risks, make big swings, and “if at first you don’t succeed try, try again.”
Q: What’s your favorite album? Why?
AYALA: My favorite album has to be “Riot!” By Paramore. They were the first band I have ever saved up money for to buy their CD. Growing up Riot was an album that I would always listen to on my CD player and feel like every single song on that record was a hit. Being a young girl who loved to sing, and getting to watch and listen to Hayley Williams be this amazing frontwoman inspired me. I grew up wanting to be like her, and a big reason I dreamed of being the musician I am today is because of her.
Q: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
AYALA: This might not count as the most daring thing to some people, but honestly putting out original music to the world. Whenever I release a song, it is like I am releasing a page out of my personal diary for everyone to hear and read. I never like to express how I’m feeling to people so in my songs I’m putting out personal experiences, vulnerability, and emotions all on display. For me, I would say that is pretty daring!
Interviewed by Zoey King
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