Amelia Day: Independence, Honesty, and Finding Her Sound on Her Own Terms.
- Jenna Mitchell
- Oct 12
- 5 min read
Amelia Day: Independence, Honesty, and Finding Her Sound on Her Own Terms.
Following an incredible performance at the Vera stage during Bumbershoot this past month, we had the opportunity to sit down with Amelia Day to talk not just about her exciting tour plans and upcoming music, but about her roots as a musician and what has inspired her to push through to get to the spot she is in now.
Amelia Day has always known music was part of her story. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she was surrounded by it from the start. Both of her parents played piano, and by the time she was four, she was sitting at the keys herself. What stood out wasn’t just the skill or learning songs, but her curiosity. She never liked playing the notes exactly as they were written. Instead, she leaned toward improvisation, inventing melodies of her own. By middle school, songwriting had become a natural extension of that impulse, shaped by early influences like The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons.
Back then, the idea of being a full-time musician seemed far-fetched. Writing felt more like a private calling than a feasible career path. Still, the pull never faded, and when the chance came to do college in Nashville, where music is everywhere, Amelia threw herself into it.
Learning in Music City
Moving to Nashville meant stepping into the thick of Music City’s nonstop creative churn. The experience gave her a front-row seat to what a career in music really was: constant connection, relentless work, and the ability to pair sound with vision. She began learning how to market herself, how to think about visuals as an extension of music, and how to share her work in ways that built connections with an audience and like-minded people.
It wasn’t easy, though. Amelia notes that stage fright followed her into those first years of performing, strong enough to make her question whether she’d ever enjoy being on stage. But she kept pushing, forcing herself to get up in front of people again and again. Eventually, the nerves loosened their grip, replaced by the rush of performance and the satisfaction of growing as a live artist.
Building Independence
Like so many musicians starting out, Amelia’s journey has been fully DIY - though if you attend any of her performances, you would never know, with the artistry and energy she brings to the stage.
But like so many up and coming artists know, it takes grit and determination to break through on your own. With no label or management, she’s handled every piece of the process herself - booking, promotion, recording, visuals, and social media. Last September, she launched her first tour outside of her home and college states, hitting the road with a full band. The logistics weren’t glamorous: long drives, roughing it for places to stay, and exhausting schedules. But those challenges became part of the adventure, giving her both a deeper appreciation for live music and new creative space during the quiet hours on the road.
That independence has shaped her artistry in ways she values deeply. By doing everything on her own, she’s gained experience in nearly every corner of the industry, from producing and directing visuals to connecting with fans online. At the same time, she’s begun to realize the importance of collaboration.
Building a team has allowed her to prioritize the elements she cares most about, while trusting others to bring their own strengths into the mix. For Amelia, collaboration isn’t about letting go, it’s about sharpening the vision and making the music stronger.
Two Homes, One Artist
Amelia says she carries two homes with her: one in the PNW and one in Music City.
The South Sound and PNW music community have given her a smaller, tightly knit scene where connections feel personal and collaborative - if you've ever immersed yourself in your city's local scene, you know exactly what she means here. Nashville, on the other hand, offers scale and momentum, an environment buzzing with opportunity.
Together, the two regions have shaped her identity as both a writer and a performer.
The balance has allowed her to find comfort in the season of live performance she’s in now: Touring with a band, building her presence, and enjoying the rhythm of constant shows.
Writing Through Change
The past year has brought both gratitude and struggle. Big, unexpected life changes left her starting fresh without the structure or support she once relied on. The adjustment took a toll, and for months, she couldn’t write. The first song she completed around that period marked a turning point, though, unlocking the ability to create again and reminding her that even frustration and catharsis can fuel music.
Enter her latest single, born from that catharsis and hardship: Lady Los Angeles. A song about betrayal, lost love, and heartbreak with a bridge that belongs in a Hollywood blockbuster.
Amelia’s writing often starts with concepts rather than sounds. An idea or emotion anchors the song, whether it arrives as a line scribbled down, a melody hummed on a long drive, or a theme that won’t let go. The past year’s challenges deepened that approach, pushing her to write honestly about identity, queerness, and self-discovery. Embracing honesty and staying true to herself throughout these challenges has given her songs a rawness that resonates strongly with listeners - both lyrically and musically.
Crafting Her Sound
Amelia’s music reflects the breadth of her influences. Classic folk and rock (sounds remnant of Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Mumford & Sons) laid the foundation. Over time, her palette expanded to include soul pop and funk pop, and more recently, the grit and experimentation of 90s alt-rock. Lately she has gravitated toward artists like Fiona Apple and Sheryl Crow, blending angst and vulnerability into a sound that is both experimental and grounded. Though she calls it folk rock, the genre feels uniquely her own, mixing storytelling roots with sharp edges and playful shifts (and boy is it so fun to listen to!).
If you love real stories, addicting melodies, and truly feeling through music, you will love what Amelia puts out. Every song feels like a breath of crisp PNW air, and transports you not just into her world, but into your own, with what your own experiences have led you to.
Looking Ahead
This fall marks the start of Amelia’s next chapter. She is preparing to release lots more new music, including an EP she considers her most cohesive project yet, built around themes of pride versus authenticity and ego versus vulnerability. The record has an old-Hollywood aesthetic that ties the songs together visually and sonically, and the music itself is fun, rock-driven, and full of hooks - ironically upbeat even as it wrestles with weighty ideas.
Her next single coming up is called Margie (coming out October 17) - a track that mixes Beatles-inspired arrangements with country undertones.
Alongside the music, Amelia has her busiest touring schedule yet: opening shows for Madilyn Mei on the East Coast before headlining her own West Coast run that you won't want to miss (she’s hitting Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Olympia, find tickets here).
For Amelia Day, independence is more than a circumstance - it’s a foundation. From improvising at the piano as a child to steering her own career today, she has built a path defined by honesty, resilience, and creative freedom. With a remarkable discography already and a growing fanbase alongside her, she is stepping into the next season of her career with clarity, momentum, and a sound that’s entirely her own.
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