EQUATE Premiere: Amalie Bryde

Danish-born artist Amalie Bryde returns with another powerful dose of jazz and neo-soul on her new single, ‘NO’. The latest in a string of releases that gear us up for the songstress’ forthcoming EP set to be released in May, ‘NO’ sees the London-based singer-songwriter celebrate her true self as she shuns conformity, with frank and relatable lyrics which reinforce her individualism, declaring: ‘I never wanted the same…I never want to explain’. Delivered in her dynamic style that shifts between confident crooner tones and ethereal vocal displays, ‘NO’ is a fierce statement that’s full of expressionism, catchy guitar riffs, and alluring finger snaps. With a spellbinding video created by Bence Borbely and Amalie’s slick dance skills, this culminates in a hypnotizing and enchanting visual.

Speaking of the release, Amalie explained: “‘NO’ is a celebration about embracing your true self and being numb to the noise that surrounds us, especially by social media! I wrote this song as an anthem for anyone who’s proud of whatever makes them different and wants to scream about it from the rooftops. I’ve constantly been in situations where I’ve felt pressured to fit in and fall in line, and I’ve always been allergic to this conformity. Life is not about pointing someone out because of their flaws or because you don’t understand their decision to be different. It’s about embracing everyone for who they were born to be.”

With a star-power that is sky high, ‘NO’ demonstrates Amalie’s huge potential as an artist - she boldly sits in her own lane and is unapologetically unique.

Interview by Danielle Temeng

Watch the video for ‘NO’ below…

YouTube/AmalieBryde

EQ: Hi Amalie, welcome to EQUATE. Can you tell us a little about yourself? How did you get into a career in the music industry?

AB: Hi! Thank you so much for having me. I was born just outside of Copenhagen in a small town called Haslev. I’ve led a life filled with and centered around music. Singing and performing have always been a big part of who I am. I’ve got my mom to blame for bringing dancing and Michael Jackson into my life way back when I was in primary school. Ever since I could talk, I would always perform for my family on the coffee table; making dance routines and singing performances. I’d always watch ‘Boogie’ (Denmark’s version of MTV) in my parents’ bedroom and [laughing] I remember mimicking Shakira – ‘Whenever, Wherever’ imagining that the duvet was the desert sand. I can’t help but also think back to watching Eurovision every year when I was little, and my dad would always ask “how do you know this song?” and I’d reply “I don’t”. From a very early age, I just figured out how melodies work and would sing them back instinctively. I’ve always dreamt about being on stage and performing.

When I was 9, I started going to a music class after school where I was able to join and participate in different musicals, choirs, and bands. At the time, I wasn’t old enough to have a solo in the choir and I had to elbow my way into getting one. I remember my hard work finally paying off and getting one. After my ‘debut’, everyone finally got to see what I could do and I received so many compliments that I ended up having solos at every show we had from then on. That was the moment I realized that this was where I belonged, on stage - performing and dancing. From that point, I started to learn how to connect with the audience from my stage.

I first started writing my own songs at the age of 12 and started to produce my own music in 2016. I quickly realized life was not going to be as easy as X-factor. You have to work hard and practice constant independence if you want to reach your career goals and dream. Before making my own music, I was relying on the external world to discover, build and define myself. Ever Since though, I’ve never been prouder for believing in myself and building my own brand and sound. I moved to London in 2018 to meet my musical peers, perform regularly, and eat, drink, sleep and live like the artist I know I’m destined to be. In London, I’m on the path to achieving my dreams.

EQ: How would you describe your sound in three words? And at the core of it, what does music mean to you?

AB: Rhapsodic. Resonant. Reflective.

Music makes me feel. It connects my soul, body, and mind and has always been a natural mood enhancer for me. It drives emotions, makes memories, and simultaneously evokes a sense of belonging and perpetual motion. Nothing can help express, reinforce or alleviate my soul as music does - both making it and listening to it. Like in the new Silk Sonic song; “Leave the Door Open”. The notes, harmonies, rhythm, and melody just come together in symbiotic convergence that lifts my spirit, and makes me want to dance and sing out loud!

In my experience, music brings everyone together and songwriting allows me to ask questions out loud about how people live their lives. It gives me a source of relief, expression, and a way of communicating with my audience. I want my music to push the boundaries of our perception in a way that tackles thought-provoking topics as well as inspiring us to hold those introspective conversations.

“Music is the soundtrack of our lives” - Dick Clark

“I’ve led a life filled with and centered around music. Singing and performing have always been a big part of who I am…”

EQ: Your new track and visuals to ‘NO’ are premiering now and out tomorrow, congratulations! It’s a poignant message of self-expression and remaining true and authentic to oneself. Why was this an important message for you to portray? And when and where do you feel your most authentic?

AB: Thank you so much! ‘No’ is a song about how toxic people can infiltrate and poison every aspect of your life. It’s a song about how I refuse to shoulder their demands nor listen to their opinions on how they think I should or shouldn’t act.

There’s always a new trend that everyone buys into to feel a sense of belonging. Whether it’s clothes, career paths, or lifestyle choices, I’ve been in situations where I’ve felt pressured to fit in and fall in line. I’ve had people say to me “Oh, that’s an interesting dress” or “I wouldn’t wear that” which I’ve always found strange because I never asked for their opinions. Life is not about pointing someone out because of their flaws nor because you don’t understand their decision to be different. It’s about embracing everyone for who they were born to be. I’ve learned to take these comments as compliments. It means I’m doing something right, something different. I’m pushing boundaries which pushes me forward.

I have so much respect for the LGBT+ community. When I wrote this song, I couldn’t help but think about the horrors so many of our LGBT+ brothers and sisters have had to face and continue to go through and experience every day. I wrote this song as an anthem for anyone who’s proud of whatever makes them different and wants to scream about it from the rooftops.

My experiences as a musician have taught me how to live my life authentically for me and me alone and have given me the tools to let me know when I’m not. In 2017, I realized that I had been lying to myself about seeking validation to survive and blend in. I couldn’t stop comparing myself to everyone else on social media, trying to live out someone’s life. I feel the most authentic when I speak my truth when I’m being honest with myself, and when I’m on stage performing and singing, that’s when I’m in my element.

EQ: In the visuals, we also see how versatile you are as an artist, with some impressive dance moves in tow. Do you have any other creative outlets and how do they enhance you as an artist?

AB: A ton of creative outlets! Dancing is a big outlet of mine and is another big reason why I love music. From the age of 5 until I was about 16, I did Grand Prix Gymnastics and Tumbling. To be fair I didn’t do much tumbling because I was too scared [laughing]… When I turned 17, I’d take the train to Copenhagen twice a week to take hip hop and contemporary jazz classes. In 2011, I moved to Copenhagen because I was offered a spot at a dance education. And so, from 2012-2017 I both danced professionally and worked with producers and songwriters in Copenhagen until I moved to London in 2018. Before Lockdown I was getting into Cuban Salsa and took dance classes at BASE Studios.

Other than dancing, I do something called object writing every morning which helps encourage me to use all 5 of my senses when I write. I started taking acting lessons (before covid) and I’m a DIY enthusiast if I can make it myself I will! [laughing]. My most recent project was building my desk in my music studio AKA bedroom. I also love to crochet, and I’ve started making my own handmade sustainable merch “Kool Kat Attire”. (@kool__kat__attire) I currently create each piece from sustainably sourced fabric. At the moment I dye t-shirts made from 100% cotton in food leftovers like the peel of avocado and sew on my logo with yarn bought from second-hand stores.

In the future, I hope to expand my merch store into my own clothing line. This line will feature items such as t-shirts, hoodies, bags, and caps.

EQ: We’re so excited to see where your artistry takes you next. What can we expect from you for the remainder of 2021, any EQUATE exclusives you can let us in on?

AB: At the beginning of May, I’ll be releasing my Debut-EP ‘Lay Down’ with new music and a 4th single called ‘Slave To My Mind’. The story behind the EP and its title ‘Lay Down’ speaks to the situations in my life where I’ve found myself in a situation where I’ve had to lay down and take a breath, whether it’s been because of love, desperation, or mental health. ‘NO’ and the single ‘Lay Down’ deal with facing the pressure of society from the lens of a woman in the 21^st century, kind of like a contemporary commentary.

As we start to come out of lockdown, I’m also starting to book gigs over the summer which is incredibly exciting. I’ll be performing at Moustache Bar in Dalston on June 3rd and at Bobiks in Newcastle on June 6th.

Hopefully, there will be many more to come!

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Pre-Save ‘NO’ HERE

Follow Amalie Bryde on socials:

Website: AmalieBryde.com

Instagram: @amalie__bryde

Facebook: @amaliebryde

Spotify: Amalie Bryde