Meet Amari Amore, a 20-year-old folk/indie/alt singer-songwriter from outside Dallas, TX and a Music Forward alumna. Amari’s journey with Music Forward started in high school and has brought her all the way to a recent connection with an Interscope pro from her Open Mic virtual stage performance.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an artist.
Howdy! I’m Amari and I am a 20-year-old, singer-songwriter based out of the Dallas, Texas area. I started playing guitar my freshman year of high school and I’m now a junior in college pursuing my Bachelors of Music degree at the University of North Texas.
I wasn’t always into music. Most people don’t know that I was an athlete and I played basketball most of my life up until high school when I quit and had no idea what to do next. I didn’t ever think I’d be like Taylor Swift writing songs on a guitar, but here I am. I started writing songs about a year after I felt sufficient enough in my playing abilities, grew confident in my voice, and haven’t stopped ever since!
These past few years I’ve continued to grow not only as an artist, but as a person, and that growth has led me to various opportunities with so many different people. I think continuing to be optimistic and putting myself out there has opened up a lot of doors for me and I hope that continues. Social media has also been such an amazing and helpful platform for me in growing a following and I plan to do more of that to connect with even more people!
What is your connection to Music Forward?
I got my start with Music Forward my sophomore year in high school. I performed on the House of Blues stage as part of their emerging artist program. That experience still to this day has been one of my favorite moments and the coolest performance I’ve done.
Music Forward has given me confidence on so many levels and is an amazing platform for up-and-coming artists! The outpouring of support is extremely helpful and appreciated along with the endless amount of performance, workshop, and industry opportunities. Music Forward makes all my efforts truly feel recognized and I love you guys for that.
Was there ever a time that you doubted yourself and if so, how did you overcome that challenge?
I think there are always moments of insecurity and that’s a bit inevitable. You’re always going to be faced with adversity, but your will to overcome has to be greater than the challenge itself. I continue to remind myself that I can grow by taking each day by day and know that I am not perfect nor will I ever be. The only thing I can do is be me, unapologetically and authentically.
What was your experience like participating in our Spotlight Unplugged and Open Mic Fridays?
My experience at Spotlight Unplugged was amazing! It was a perfect way to combine audiences and I gained a lot of exposure from it. The Q&A allowed my viewers to learn new things about me they probably didn’t know before (much like this) and I was so glad to be a part of it.
The Open Mic Fridays “Next Level Showcase” that I was a part of was such a unique and beautiful thing. Simply being chosen among the other artists was humbling in itself, but to hear feedback and be in connection with the industry experts felt surreal. I was so shocked to hear that one of the industry experts, Kasturi Shan of Interscope, wanted to speak to me directly and establish a relationship after the performance; to have that sort of interest and validation from her meant a lot to me.
What piece of advice would you give to an artist first entering the music industry?
One piece of advice I’d give to any new artist is to always trust and believe in yourself, your voice, and your ideas. There may be someone who you think is equivalent or even better than you, but there is only one you and so therefore you are unique in your own way. Don’t try and compare yourself.
Just simply be you and that is more than enough!
What is your songwriting process?
My creative process consists of improvisations on my instrument which is usually guitar, then really tuning into the emotions that I’m presently feeling as I’m playing, jotting down words or phrases, and compiling them until I have one cohesive song that feels right I suppose. I find inspiration through things I feel, things people tell me, mottos, movies, personal experiences, scenery, images, and sometimes dreams. My favorite thing ever is making music with my friends and sharing creative ideas at the studio.
How does music move you?
I am constantly in awe and inspired by music of all kinds. Music truly heals and it connects. When I write, I’m telling my own unique perspective on life essentially, but I’m still sort of inadvertently healing and connecting others and that’s the beautiful thing about it. Music and writing allow me to feel and express things that I don’t think I could if music didn’t exist. Gotta love music, amirite?!