Amanda Goodwin is a vocalist and musician of no small talent, who is about to strike it out on her own, having been the lead vocalist of the band Soul Deep for the past five years. She has just recorded and is on the verge of releasing her debut EP, which is set for release on the 20th of May at Ra Bar. I caught up with her recently all about herself, the EP and the upcoming release gig.

DMC:What are your influences and/or inspirations for writing and performing music?

Amanda Goodwin: I have always wanted to sing and perform. When I was really young my mother played a lot of Soul/Gospel music - I think this is where my love for this sort of music has grown from. She played a lot of Aretha Franklin/Stevie wonder/Whitney Houston - I used to love listening and admiring their vocals. Today one of my main influences would be Joss Stone (a white girl singing contempary soul).

DMC: How long have you been playing music?

AG: I have been singing for as long as I remember but my first serious band was Soul Deep, which I was in untill recently.

DMC: What are some of the high points of your career thus far?

AG: With Soul Deep I got to perform at some great places, Carisbrook stadium before a crusaders highlanders match, Perigrene Winery in Quuenstown. But probably my high point is now - having a new amazing band and playing my original music and having a CD to show for the years of work songwriting and performing.

DMC: You have just recorded an album that is due for release. Can you outline the making and recording of that album?

AG: The album is an EP of songs mainly penned by myself, with the exception of one track which I co-wrote with local legend Joe Setefano ('Tell me if this is love'). It was recorded in Sweetway Studios, which is in the Catlins. Ross McNab is the engineer and he is very good to work with. It was then mastered at York St Studios in Auckland.

DMC: What is your take on the Dunedin music scene?

AG: There is such a great variety of music and musicians in Dunedin. Its kind of a shame the that the 'scene' itself is not bigger. As in there is a lack of people who 'follow' Dunedin music - and attend gigs...especially in the winter.

DMC: What's next?

AG: My album release party on May 20th at the Ra Bar. Then some more locals gigs. Possibily a trip up to Wellington in July.

Amandas website is
[www.amandagoodwin.co.nz]


Related artists: Amanda Goodwin

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