Ama is making her way in the indie-pop scene, with compelling storytelling, and introspective lyricism.
Ama will bring her fresh, deeply personal music to BIGSOUND in Brisbane – but before she does, we thought we'd get to know her a little better.
Who is Ama...
Hey, I’m Ama! I write songs that are basically just my journal entries turned into pretty melodies and catchy lyrics. I’m a Sri-Lankan/Australian artist from Western Sydney, slowly carving out my place in the alt-pop scene with a sound shaped by emotional honesty and a love for storytelling. For the past few years, I’ve been gigging full-time as a cover musician, which has honestly made me value original music even more; there’s something so rare about creating something so personal and being able to share it with so many people. It’s also given me this relentless drive to make my own voice heard and turn this little dream into something real, sustainable, and long-term.
I sound like...
Someone oversharing but, in a fun, yet vibey kinda way. Think emotional alt-pop with a bit of grit – somewhere between Holly Humberstone, Gracie Abrams, and Devon Again.
My first gig was...
My first gig was at Teabags T-shop in Western Sydney! I remember being so excited thinking 'I'm getting paid to play a couple songs?' That place used to be 'the spot' in high school and I remember being so excited (personally having the poorest taste in fashion) to wear this gold velvety jacket that I stole from my brother's closet (I haven't returned the jacket since...)
Do you have any queer influences, musical or otherwise?
I remember Girl In Red's interview on 'And The Writer Is' being one of the first that I'd ever listened to; I loved how she spoke about her journey as an artist and her sound is just one that's so easy to listen to whenever I'm in a mood to chill out and relax. Billie Eilish is so admirable for how she challenges the sounds of the alt-pop scene! I also distinctly remember watching Hayley Kiyoko's 'Girls Like Girls' music video when I first discovered it, that video made me rethink a lot of things.
In the studio I usually...
I usually come to a session fresh without any plans of what to make. I try and get the vibe of the room, figure out what everyone is into, and I like mixing all of our tastes and ideas together. Something usually ends up being made entirely in the room. The producers/session musicians do their thing up front while I sit up the back and start writing; and at the end of the day, we put our parts together and finish it off! Before anything though I definitely do like to take advantage of a coffee machine if there is one, ahaha!
If I could tour with anyone...
Would love to tour with Medium Build. I think the dude has just lived so much life and seems like such a genuine person. It would be so interesting to know his take on different parts of life; I feel there's so much I could learn by even just being around him.
To date, our/ my most embarrassing moment was the time...
I sat on a stool at my gig, not knowing there was a wire underneath one of the legs, and ending up toppling over and falling on my PA system – the CCTV footage is somewhere out there and I hope it never sees the light of day.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that my rider contains...
A Bondi burger meal from Oporto, some throat coat tea and Manuka honey lozenges!
What celebrity/famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band (why?)...
Wanda Sykes or Amy Poehler – They're just so out of pocket and their comedic timing is genius; I think they’d really complement the chaos in my writing.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why?
LA! I've done a few trips lately and have found that the songwriting community there is so fun. Everyone around you is in the same field and it just inspired and motivated me so much by being around such driven and like-minded people.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us?
Ummm I'm a big people pleaser so I think I'd be asking every single one of you what you wanted ahaha; but in general terms I'd probably say something along the lines of a pasta bake or something chill like that; nothing too fancy so it can't go wrong, and who doesn't love pasta? I'd also set up some appetisers.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends?
Most definitely a lover – I've got two dogs and a cat and there's nothing better than waking up in the morning and watching them jump up and down when they see me.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? If so, what type?
'Minute To Win It'! I don't know if that’s still running? But it’s one of those shows I used to watch constantly as a kid and always thought I could make it!
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma?
Can never go wrong with a late-night feed from Oporto.
Last show you binge-watched (and what kept you glued to the screen)?
'YOU'! It's just so detailed and intense, and Penn Badgley's acting is so good that it's scary.
What sorts of messages do you want to send to your listeners through your music?
I want people to feel that they're safe and give them someone that they can connect to. I find that a lot of the things I write about are crazy thoughts that a lot of people have had in their head but haven't actually felt comfortable enough to say out loud. I make my music for me; to kind of give myself that validation that I'm not insane for how I'm feeling, and I hope other people can resonate with that too.
Ama plays Eclipse 2 September and The Prince Consort Hotel 4 September as part of BIGSOUND in Brisbane.
