The world of children’s music is full of so many creative, wonderful artists. We love to introduce the best to you; Amy Lee is regularly selected as one of the most important women in rock music as co-founder of the band Evanescence, loved for her mega-hits like “Everybody’s Fool” and “Bring Me to Life.” A classically trained musician with a lovely bold voice, Lee connects directly with her legions of fans around the world through her social networks. Evanescence videos get more than 1.5 billion spins on YouTube, and Lee continues to write music for film and TV. She and the band will be on tour again soon.
Two years ago, Amy’s life changed with the birth of her son Jack. Rather than stifling her creativity, she found that becoming a mother helped her find new inspiration and expansion of her work. Over the past year, she has been writing songs, inspired by her own childhood (which was filled with music) and her daily life with a toddler. The title track “Dream Too Much” includes bits from Jack’s own dreams and imagination. “Dream Too Much” is a family affair, with guest appearances by Lee’s father, sisters and even a few peeps from son Jack Lion. It’s a delightful collection of songs that are both sweet and full of depth. Here’s our interview with Amy; we hope you enjoy it!
Tell us how you got into music as a child…
There was music all around me growing up, my dad was a radio DJ and musician, both of my grandmothers played piano and organ and my parents sang all the time. I loved hanging out at my dad’s work and playing old records, and was desperate to learn the piano by the time I was 8.
What are your musical inspirations?
My first big inspiration was the film “Amadeus.” I was so moved by the passionate, intricate and yet catchy music of Mozart- I was determined to be a creator like him. Then I became a teenager and the grunge and alternative music scene of the 90’s was exploding and I was totally hooked on Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Portishead, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden… too much great music to name. Bjork has been a huge inspiration to me since I was about 13 and still is- I can’t decide what’s more powerful: her voice or her mind. Living in New York I get inspired by the music and sounds floating all over the city. A guy playing the trumpet by the park, steel drums echoing through the subway. Right now somebody’s car alarm is going off- it’s inspiring me to yell out my window.
What places do you love to go that feed your creative spirit?
The ocean. When I’m feeling stuck in my dark little studio, or anywhere, I want to get to the water. I stand at the edge and feel this endless, powerful, mysterious yet incredibly familiar thing that connects us, and separates us, and has been here since before people were. It always stimulates my creativity. I also tend to get creatively inspired on airplanes. It’s almost like it’s stolen time where nobody expects you to do anything but sleep and watch movies. So it’s my secret time to think deep and jot down ideas on airsick-bags!
If you could give any advice to parents who would like to impart music lessons upon their children, what would it be?
Let them choose what they have a natural interest in. Encouraging a spark that comes from inside them is what will fuel their desire to keep going.
How does one become a children’s recording artist (rather than an adult-oriented one)?
Well for me, I just got inspired by my son and started making music out of that. Watching him learn, be fascinated with things adults take for granted and muse at things I forgot were funny. Like the word “ravioli.” Or like, how amazing bees are. It’s fun to connect with him through music, and take those things that he’s into and work it into a song that he can hear and understand and relate to.
album link (a free instant download with all pre-orders): www.amazon.com/dreamtoomuch
Photo Credits: Drew Reynolds