We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Ayala recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Being a singer and songwriter, there is an internal pressure to always stay creatively active and work on your craft. In years prior I have found myself falling into a drought of ideas for months on end, and I could not figure out how to break the spell. The longer I have been in the field the more routine based I have become, and have taught myself new ways to always keep the ideas flowing. When I find my creative energy is getting low I like to shake things up by pushing myself outside my comfort zone, trying new things, and meeting new people. New and exciting interactions can trigger brand new emotions which fuels my ideas. If that doesn’t work I find that being out in nature gives me a sense of calm and stability that really allows my mind to be present and free from previous distractions. Lastly, my third attempt to never run dry creatively, is I will read books on books and emerge myself in the characters. I try to feel what they feel and experience what they’re going through and see if that will spark any inspiration in my own work/songs.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Amanda Ayala and I am singer/songwriter from NY. Growing up I always fantasized what it would be like to make music, perform on television, and perform in from of large audiences. It is a really special feeling knowing that if I could tell my younger self something, it would be that we are doing it! Not only am I grateful to be pursuing a career in music, but I am extremely grateful for all the life changing opportunities it has brought me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
What most people don’t realize about independent artists, is that they are far more than just musicians. Some of the qualities and skills I have learned throughout my path in music is to be an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and be able to film/photograph and design all of my content. When I first started in this career path I thought it was going to be all about writing and releasing music, and simply sharing it to the world … boy was I wrong. At times taking on all these different roles can be stressful and overwhelming, but overall extremely useful. All the knowledge and skill sets you’ve built by working on yourself and your music, you can now apply that to tons of other outlets in business.
Advice that I could give anyone who is early in their journey is that knowledge is power. Focus on mastering your craft, but don’t forget about the supporting elements needed to do so. Yes, ask for help when certainly needed, but challenge yourself and try to learn on your own before doing so. Growing up there were countless hours where I sat on my computer learning how to record my own music, how graphic designers worked, industry tips and tricks; etc. Never stop expanding your mind and never stop challenging yourself in your field.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my mom has ever done for me, was to fully support and believe in my dream. I am lucky enough to have a parent who has been behind me since my journey began. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t believe I would be where I am today and have accomplished what I have accomplished without her. When I was in high school my mom and I would spend our weeknights handing out business cards and looking for local places that would hire me to perform. When I was 17 I received a call to be a part of NBC’s The Voice, and because I was a minor I needed a guardian with me. My mom flew across the country for 3 months all because she believed and supported me.
Mom, if you are reading this … thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amandaayala.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaayalamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandaayalamusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandaxayala
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/amandaayalamusic
Image Credits
Julianne Aprile, Amanda Ayala & Ronny Ayala
