Amy Shark is a multi-platinum award-winning Australian indie pop singer-songwriter from the Gold Coast. She burst onto the global music scene in 2016 with her six times Platinum single ‘Adore’ and followed up with the APRA Song of the Year award, for her number one Australian hit ‘I Said Hi’.
Issue Eight of Forbes Australia is out Monday. Tap here to secure your copy.
Amy Shark opens up about happiness, inspiration, and her finest moment for the latest issue of Forbes Australia.
What’s your favourite place and why?
I have many favourite places, but one is the Marlborough Sounds on the South Island of New Zealand. My family has a tiny ‘bach’ there, and it’s right on the ocean with really good fishing spots.
Who or what has been your greatest creative inspiration?
Bands like Silverchair and Blink 182, I guess I could relate to their storytelling, and they inspired me to start playing guitar and writing songs.
What has been your finest hour so far?
I can honestly say I have never been asked this question before, but I think my finest hour, depending on how you look at it, would be writing I Said Hi.
I wrote the song the night before my last day in the studio, and I worked very late to finish it so I could take it into the studio the next day. I’m very happy I did.
How do you keep your head together?
I don’t. I lose my mind a thousand times a week.
I think most creatives are impulsive and erratic. This question suits my manager/husband, who has to deal with me.
What is your most inspirational piece of music?
I feel inspired when I hear big songs like The Scientist by Coldplay or The Voice by John Farnham. These songs make me want to keep striving to write something as big and meaningful.
I guess ‘I Said Hi’ would be my most inspirational piece.
What has been your favourite collaboration so far?
Favourite collaboration is hard because I love everyone I have had the opportunity to work with. Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker from Blink 182 were massive highlights, but I also loved writing with Ed Sheeran and working with Keith Urban.
These collaborations have been special to me, and I feel so lucky to have made some lovely friends throughout my career.
What is your favourite piece of literature?
I used to study drama, so I like a lot of Shakespeare. I’m drawn to darker pieces like Macbeth and Twelfth Night.
Any guilty pleasures?
Daytime cooking shows and the Kardashians.
What performance changed your life?
I was in the front row at the Big Day Out for Metallica, which changed my life.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
I would say, “Amy! Please stop listening to people and just write the kind of music you want to write and stop wearing so much eyeliner you look ridiculous”.
What makes you happy?
My man, my nieces and nephew, spaghetti and red wine.
Forbes Australia Issue 8 is out Monday the 4th of December. Tap here to secure your copy.
