Amanda Easton

GIRL.COM.AU - 'STARS OF TOMORROW' SERIES

Amanda Easton delivers guitar pop/rock with a powerful yet sensuous voice over some wickedly throbbing beats and general sonic chaos. Treading the line between commercial and alternative, the music features infectious melodic hooks and often sees Amanda with tongue firmly planted in cheek while at other times, achingly sincere. Amanda Easton is this month's Star of Tomorrow.

Stage Name: Amanda Easton
Age: 28

Location: Bondi (Sydney, Australia)

Music Genre: Pop/rock

When did you realise that music was your passion?

When I was three I played the role of a singing cow in the kindergarten play - in my earliest memories I was always walking around singing to myself. I haven't stopped since!

List three musical influences: ABBA, Blondie, Garbage

How many years have you been performing?

If you count the singing cow thing, 25 years! Full-time professionally it's been 7 years - I worked in the real world before I became a professional singer.

Do you write your own material?

Yes. Sometimes I co-write and other times I write by myself.

Have you found the Internet to be helpful/useful in fast-tracking your music career?

The internet is great for resources - industry contacts and knowledge as well as a great promo tool. Having a website has been a great thing! You can get out to the rest of the world so much more easily.

In following your dream, who has helped you along the way?

It helps me to read about the stories of other singers and performers who have 'made it' - especially when you hear that they often felt like it was never going to happen and that they often faced rejection. This industry can be so full of barriers sometimes, it's good to know that it happens to everybody and in the end you can still break through! But I've got a great Mum and Dad, boyfriend and big group of friends whose support I couldn't do without.

Is there anything you wish you could change about the music industry?

I wish it were based more on talent, good songs etc rather than how much money you've got behind you!

What advice can you offer to other budding young artists?

You have to REALLY want to do this - you can't be half-hearted about this kind of career. If music is what you live and breathe for, then it's the best life in the world, whether you become rich and famous or not. And I believe persistence pays off…

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years time?

Still persisting! I hope I would have released a few albums internationally by then, and spent a bit of time performing throughout Europe and Asia. As well as singing, I see myself doing some TV and radio..generally being a multi-media performer doing all different kinds of exciting projects and making a really good living from it. Also writing songs for other artists.

Where can people purchase/listen to your music?

You can go to my website for more details www.amandaeaston.com, but you can buy my new single 'Falling In' from record stores in Sydney and online at lots of websites including www.chaosmusic.com and www.sanity.com.au

GIRL'S 60 SECOND QUIZ

Full Name: Amanda Clare Easton
Nickname(s): Mandy, Red, Neko-chan (my nickname when I was living in Japan - means 'little cat')
Star Sign: Cancer

Fave Food: Chocolate cake
Fave Film: Gone with the Wind
Fave Actor: Robert De Niro
Fave Animal: Monkeys

Describe Yourself In 3 Words: Red, happy, strong-willed.
Best Feature: Positive thinker
Worst Feature: I'm really messy!
Person You Would Most Like To Meet: A vampire - like the ones in 'Interview with a Vampire'- as long as they weren't hungry at the time - I find them fascinating!
Hobbies/Interests: Graphic design, roller-blading, eating

First Job: Check out chick at a supermarket (actually I was the grocery bagger before I got promoted to the cash register)
A Talent You Wish You Had: Ballet dancing
The Best Advice Given To You: Never give up
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: Hope
If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be? Jessica Rabbit
If you were told you had a minute to live, what would you do? Sing



N.B.: If you would like to nominate a Star of Tomorrow, email michelle@girl.com.au, include a brief biography of the person you are nominating and tell us why they are the next big thing!