Who are you and what do you do in your act?
I’m Amanda from LA Vampires, I make beats, screw ‘em up, sing over them, collaborate with geniuses and then hope for the best.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record and why?
My parents are amazing but seriously random when it comes to music. Most of what they listen to is diva-centric (Barbara, Judy, Liza, Celine,
Aretha, Whitney, etc.), peppered with some oldies, adult contemporary, and a confusing amount of Broadway hits. Steal from my dad: Nina Simone, from my mom: disco singles by Diana Ross and Chaka Khan that she can never remember she owns…
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Don’t own an iPod, but my iTunes is full of the new 100% SILK and NNF releases like Rangers, Maria Minerva, Octo Octa, Pharaohs, KWJAZ, Ital, Magic Touch, SFV ACID, Innergaze, Cruise Family, and Sapphire Slows.
‘Home taping is killing the music business’ was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s, but it managed to survive until now. What do you think is the difference between mates taping copies of friend’s records back in the 80s and 90s and file sharing now?
I’m not a digital listener and I’m certainly no downloader. I don’t really get the appeal – I love records, love playing them and holding them in my hands. I have no feeling for or bond with cyber stuffs – it’s all about music’s physicality, that’s where the rawness, sweat, and glory come in. Get off yr computers and start making mix tapes again, that’s what I say.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What was the first gig you went to? Where was it and what was the venue?
My first concert was Air Supply, it must have been at some giant forum in LA. Like I said, can’t steal much music from my parents… Second concert was Peter Allen. (See what I mean?)
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
Like I said… I’m into personal purchasing. But the best stores in LA for that are Vacation Vinyl, Amoeba, and Poobah Records, and yes, you can find my music in all of them.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
What artist didn’t!? Loleatta Holloway, Sade, Bjork, Beth Gibbons, DJ Screw, Madlib, Tricky, Lady Kier, N’Dea Davenport, Caron Wheeler, Martha Wash, Sylvester, Grace Jones…
Have you ever been arrested?
Are you kidding? I’m home every night watching the Disney Channel, drinking one sip of champagne and then falling asleep.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
My ritual is just a moment or two with the musicians I play with to reflect and genuflect. Sometimes we joke and laugh to create a light mood, sometimes we talk each other up and express gratitude or love. It’s important to have those moments together, away from the crowd, before you attempt to express yrself through performance. Any night I’m rushed or robbed of those moments, I’m frantic and can’t give my full intensity. As for lucky charms, they always change… sometimes my favorite leather jacket, sometimes my favorite silk kimono, sometimes I just rub my crystal
ring. Luck can’t help me with the tour set though, that’s just to get me through the night – it’s a little prayer that I don’t have to sleep on anyone’s grimy floor and that there’s fresh fruit and Pellegrino somewhere in my near future.
What’s been your most outrageous rider request?
An international Vogue featuring at least one Kate Moss photoshoot.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I love Canyons. “Fire Eyes” is on the turntables at every party I DJ. Would love to make a weird dance 12” with them. Would also LOVE to write a screenplay or stage play for Cate Blanchett – my favorite Aussie of all time.
Right, let’s get really intimate. Tell us what releases you have that we can listen to with the lights down low, or even better, where we can seeyou play in person next.
Dance music and R&B make me feel sexy. For low light situations, try early Sade or early Badu, Bill Withers, any acid house or acid jazz, or either one of the Mariah Carey 90s hits, “Vision of Love” or “Can’t Let Go.” I’ll be touring all over Australia from September 3rd to September 10th, maybe try Sydney or Perth, or somewhere equally Australian and fabulous.
Sept 3 – Mixed Grill’d at Arthouse, Cairns
Sept 6 – The Bakery, Perth
Sept 7 – Emma Soup Gallery, Newcastle
Sept 8 – GoodGod, Sydney
Sept 9 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
Sept 10 – FRANKLY!, Brisbane
