Published on 27th April 2008.

Amy Studt

Joseph C Seager managed to ask Amy Studt a few words about the past, present, and future before her new album 'My Paper Made Men' hits the shelves.

How are you doing? What are you doing as you read this? And where are you doing it?

Hello, I'm alright! Thanks! Well, I'm typing as I'm reading this and I'm sitting at my computer at home.

Are you pleased with the new album?

Yes I am.

What's your favourite song from the album and why?

My favourite song changes all the time. I like them all for different reasons. If I had to pick it would probably be either 'Sad Sad World' or 'Here Lies Love.' 'Sad Sad World' because it was the first song I wrote for this album when I knew what I wanted to achieve before I had begun and here lies love because it is arguable the best song I've ever written.

You've said that 'My Paper Made Men' is "a true depiction of who I am". Who are you?

Well, well. That's a big question. Who am I? I will leave the full exploration of that question up to the experienced philosophers. All I will say is that its only been in the occasional fleeting moments that I've felt like I've caught a glimpse of myself and who I really am. It's different every time. So in that, the album is probably not who I am, not right now anyway. More snap shots of who I was in the moments that I wrote each song. But it is certainly a closer relation to me now than my first album.

Who would you love to perform/record with, past or present?

I'd love to record with Bjork. I always thought she looked like someone I would get on and work very well with.

What made you first get into music?

Nothing really. It was just always around. From the womb. And writing was just something I did naturally, even before I learnt to climb onto a piano stool. The music around the house had a big part to play as I didn't own my own music for a long time; I'm only just properly building my CD collection now.

What would you have done if you didn't get into music?

I might have gone into acting but maybe something in sports. I was looking over my old school reports and sport was always my highest grade.

What are you currently listening to, what's on your mp3 player?

Stina Nordenstam - Memories Of A Color.

What was the first CD you bought?

First CD I bought was probably Lauren Hill's 'The Miseducation of Lauren Hill.'

Favourite band?

If I had to choose a band it would probably be Radiohead.

Favourite song?

I have to change it every time I get asked because there is not a definitive one song. Today it is... Cruel by Tori Amos.

Favourite film?

Lolita. It's what I sometimes imagine real love to be.

What's the best venue you've played? And why of course?

There hasn't really been a best venue so far and I haven't done any proper gigs for such a painful amount of time now that the memories are beginning to fade. But I always liked the water rats in kings cross. Not 'cos the people were very friendly or the sound was very good but purely because I like the Victorian puppet stage that you get to play on.

Favourite band you have toured with? And why?

I don't often get to actually tour with one specific person or band. But as for who I enjoyed playing with the most it would be Antony Elvin. I love his ear-candy music. The recordings online don't do him justice except the 'cheeze song'. Go see him live.

How did you feel the first time you heard your own music on the radio?

Weird. It just felt like I was listening to a CD of mine in the car. Except that the car CD player was set to Radio. Its only when someone went "Ok, and that was the new tune from young singer Amy Studt..." then it becomes more real.

Who would you say your target audience is? Who would enjoy your music?

I'm not sure who my target audience is. I leave all that up to my management to think about and deal with. But I think that most people could enjoy my music.

How do you go about writing your songs? Where do you find influence?

I'm always messing around either building up little piano sections; funny little diddles and chord progressions that i find beautiful or writing pages and pages of nonsense (free association writing). Then I start piecing it all together. I go back through the pages of lyrics and pick out the most delicious lines and accidental thoughts.

What do you do in your spare time?

I do pretty normal things. I walk my dog. Spend time with friends and my family. I love to cook and eat nice food. Oh and I always have projects on the go. And courses that I do.

What do you miss when you are touring?

Not being travel sick and my dog.

Why did you nearly walk away from the music? And what pulled you back?

I walked away because I didn't like the fame side of it. It is the worst part of what I do. I didn't like being in the public eye and being judged without fair trial. So I really craved a normal life. I've now come to terms with the fact that I don't think I ever have or ever will have a normal life. I came back because I felt I had something to prove to myself. I don't like giving in to my fears but aside from that, i don't think I could ever really get away from music. It's an intrinsic part of who I am.

And finally, what's next on the agenda for you?

Well, I'm putting together an acoustic set to that I can get out and do more gigs around the country. I'm dying to get out on tour but I am having to be patient. Album is out for download on May 5th and single week before on 28th April.

That's 'My Paper Made Men' (album) and 'Chasing The Light' (single).

I just hope that it does well and that people get to hear it.

Thanks Amy.