Ama lia
a 20 year career HAS SEEN Ama lia perform with aN ARRAY of musiC acts crossing styles from soul, funk, rock, pop & Latin
Her turning point was a royal invitation to perform for HRH Prince WILLIAM at Windsor Castle
Further credits followed including support for Lionel Richie, Beyonce, AND John Legend
Exclusive Interview
Q: Tell us about your story and where it all started in your music journey?
It started in the Land of Oz, that massive magical island known as Australia, specifically Sydney where I grew up. Being of Greek heritage however my very first influences were from my mother playing Greek music around the house. I fell in love with the rhythms and the bouzouki sound (a Greek form of mandolin).
I took up dance first and at around 10 years of age was taught a routine to Diana Ross’ Upside Down and was buzzed by the sounds of disco. I also listened to American Top40 radio that introduced me to R&B and soul music turning me on to the likes of Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan and Sam Cooke. As well as rock bands like Fleetwood Mac, Doobie Bros, and The Eagles.
Singing came along a little later in my teens in a very tentative way and took me a good while to find my confidence secretly dipping my toes in and out and taking lessons along the way. I was also into UK Pop like Alison Moyet, Style Council, Eurhythmics, Soul to Soul and George Michael but moving to London really exposed me to its music scene with my first band experience almost 10 years later in a Latin Jazz outfit called Vida Nova with some incredible musicians AND Eventually I got to gigging properly and singing for my supper as I am today!
Q: Who are your main musical and personal influences?
Definitely the funk of Chaka Khan with Rufus, Sly and the Family Stone, Prince, and the vocal rawness of Tina Turner, Gladys Knight and Gwen McRae. Personal influences would have to be my humble Rumband family of musicians. The collective wealth of experience and knowledge is one of a kind. Michael Bailey’s approach to gigs and performing is commendable to say the least. He’s taught me that a gig is a gig, no matter how big or small, they all matter. There is no room for ego when music is pure and that musicians are family members.
Q: Any mentors throughout your career and precious advices?
Yes early encouragement and support came from a friend and jazz vocalist Lisa Brown who started Vida Nova and seemed to believe in me so much more than I ever did, putting together a stellar line up of musicians and allowing me to be a part of it. I will always value that early professional experience with her.
I remember an early gig in that same band, feeling utterly nauseous with stage fright, a fellow muso told me to turn my focus to the stage and its musicians and just have fun and trust it will filter to the audience. I do that to this day. It works.
Q: How did you meet your musician family (and hubby)?
It’s funny because I had met so many London musicians way before becoming a singer here. I guess I gravitated to its scene until I was ready to dive in!
So Michael (Bailey) came into my life soon after I arrived whilst I was working in Salsa clubs 20 years ago and he was playing in Brazilian bands. We wove in and out of each other’s path until I stepped into this weird and whacky world of music full time and then I married him!
I feel very fortunate to have encountered what seems to be the cream of the crop of musicians from the starting gate and since through Michael another ridiculous pool of talent opened up that I pinch myself! This is my musical family.
Q: Tell us about your first professional gig?
My first proper gig was actually mind blowing! I mean talk about hitting the ground running. It was for Prince William’s well documented 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle with all the royal family in tow. Our funk band was chosen to play the evening party and afterwards we met and chatted with him. It was an Out of Africa themed event so let’s just say it was surreal to be meeting the birthday boy in a short African skirt combo!
Q: You’ve got such a rich career working with the finest musicians in London. Being the very strong and charismatic front woman that you are; what advice would you give to any upcoming singers - especially when it comes to lead a band?
My start in gigging somehow saw me front a big line up of 10 musicians on stage including a 3-piece horn section and backing vocals, which really overwhelmed me. I had no idea how to communicate onstage, who or where to look, how to queue solos, only to get through singing the songs, so perhaps start out smaller! Gig as much as possible; broaden your musical experience and knowledge And listen! To the song, to the music and to the musicians.
Another gem is to give a song space to breathe, allow it to build through all the musicianship onstage. As a singer this is invaluable advice that literally changed my perspective on performing. It’s not all about you!
Q: You are such a versatile singer, with a natural instinct for improvisation and an infectious “vibe”. What styles keep you buzzing?
I tend to be driven by rhythm, which affects my singing and phrasing I guess. Singing in other languages like Greek and Portuguese also helps my expression and Brazilian sounds have played a big part from the start but really it’s where the vibe takes me, it’s got to groove! I feel a different persona takes over when it feels right and the band is cooking, whatever style!
Q: You are literally on all fronts with various projects could you tell us more about that? (Links to original projects)
Yea a habit of mine - I can’t seem to shhh my brain of ideas!
I have a clothing brand called Perfect Zen Wear that essentially is a fun platform for word play printed on material. This has led to creating music merchandise for the likes of drummer Richard Bailey as well as Rumband.
Also a blog called Humans of Portobello started a few years ago modelled on the successful Humans of New York and inspired by living in Ladbroke Grove and Portobello Road consisting of street interviews, stories and photography.
I founded a funk covers band a while back called Family Funk that still plays the party circuit for weddings, parties and events.
Q: You have been in the music industry for many years now and very passionate about grass roots venues and supporting local music. How have you seen the London scene evolving from where you started your career?
It seemed easier to hustle gigs when starting out as more venues were supporting live music and had regular slots available allowing us to make a living. Now as is widely known London alone has lost a huge amount of venues replaced by new flats with a rapidly changing landscape almost stripping the capital of its music scene. This city is vibrant with so much to offer and superb talent to match. So it’s up to us really as the creative’s to work closely with businesses who are run by passionate people willing to keep arts alive and music in particular accessible for all so communities thrive. I’m a fan of independent run venues because they are usually driven with the right intentions. We as humans need sensory stimulation through art, it’s healing on all levels.
Q: You’ve been quietly playing percussion and steel pan, could you tell us more about that?
Not so secret really, I just gave it a rest for a while. I started PLAYING PAN a few years back with Panectar pERFORMING AT Notting Hill Carnival for 4 years running. I loved learning a new instrument and took to it quite quickly. The world of pan is a lively scene and rehearsals always proved a fun environment. When you hear the big bands rehearsing it’s a sound overload, an incredible thunderous wave of pans!
I came on the road in 2019 with the Tabernacle Band on the Mangrove float and it has me looking into playing again so we’ll see but pERCUSSION seems THE NEXT TRANSITIONAL DIRECTION FOR ME GIVEN MY VOCAL STYLE SO i’M EXPLORING MORe sounds as CONGAS, BONGOS, CLAVE, GUIRO, SHEKERE and campana (cowbell), so a step up from tambourine!
Q: Any other stand out gigs you recall to be proud of?
There have been a few.
Supporting Lionel Richie for an event celebrating 150 years of Louis Vuitton some years back was a REAL buzz, made more fun playing with my musical mates.
Another huge highlight was joining the band of my good friend and fellow vocalist Zarif (singer/songwriter-Sony) to experience some TRULY epic support slots with the likes of John Legend and then Beyonce for her UK tour in 2009. I was SUPER proud of my mate and SO happy to join in the good times!
Q: I am sure in all these years you can recall some funny and weird moments?
Speaking of my sister girl Zarif, LITERALLY about to step onstage for our gig at Windsor Castle, where things run like clockwork and minders oversee EVERY LAST DETAIL, she HAPPENED TO need the loo! SO RacED off only to bump into the Queen herself in the hallway. Surreal.
Q: Rumband is your baby to say the least? What is your vision for the future?
Yes it is. I believe in it wholeheartedly.
We are a unique family with aN IMMENSE wealth of experience, stories and music.
my focus is on acquiring funding for AN ALBUM AND A documentary to shine a light on this super group.
With shows and festivals TO FOLLOW, as far reaching as possible!