Music Q&A:
Amber Donoso

What informs your music and songwriting?
I write my songs about my life experiences. Could be anything from a relationship – a lover, family member – to an experience at a party or event. My debut single Get Off, which has just been released, is about an ex-partner, and the following single, which will follow, is about something completely different. I write about anything which touches me or I feel strongly about.

How have you evolved as an artist over the years?
I have evolved far more than I could have ever thought. The older I get (even though I’m only 21), the more experiences I’m learning from. I have challenges coming at me left, right and centre, but I like it. It keeps me on my toes and I am constantly learning. I’m a big believer that every situation that comes your way is character shaping. It’s the way we all really come into ourselves. All my life experiences, especially in the past few years, have really helped me with my songwriting as I’m able to write from different points of views, which gives my material a lot more depth. I have also been super-strict on myself on maintaining regular training, from weekly singing coaching to weekly dance rehearsals. It’s important for me to be as solid and prepared as I can be for studio sessions or performances.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
I’ve just released the video to Get Off, which was a massive project for me as I was so largely involved in every step, from writing the song, mixing the track, writing the treatment, getting the moodboards together to directing, then editing the video. As you can see it was a lot to say the least. Now that the video has premiered, I’m performing the track around the UK and finishing off my next single, which I’m really excited for.

What’s on your rider?
Oh gosh, a lot. Firstly, a lot of water and herbal teas. I drink a huge amount. My vocal steamer, which I use to help warm me up before shows. Food is a massive thing for me. I love food, so it’s important that there’s plenty of clean food like salads and wraps, and hot food. However, not forgetting snacks – some of my favourites are Cheetos and M&Ms.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
Where to start? I’m constantly doing silly things. Probably my best story to date was being away in South Africa on safari and having a large baboon break into my room when I was there alone with no phone. Possibly the funniest yet most terrifying thing that has ever happen to me.

What song do you wish you’d written?
Like A Prayer, Madonna.

What’s your worst lyric?
A lyric from a song I wrote when I was 13: “Oh the light was shining upon us for you.” It may not sound too bad to some written down but if you were to hear the song… I have come a long way, to say the least.