Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Amanda Aalto: I grew up in a small village in the South-East of Finland. I guess I have always been drawn to music and other things that involve creativity. My first real touch to music was probably when I got my first guitar at the age of 5. Still, piano was the first instrument I learned to play a few years later. When I got a bit older, other instruments like drums, bass and then acoustic guitar started to be more interesting. Mainly I have always been a singer and I started to be more serious about singing around the age of 13. That is when I started to practice singing more often and attended to a local singing competition. I also started to write songs when I was still quite young, as soon as I learned my first chords. As years went by and I got a bit older my songs started to have more depth and I wrote songs for many bands that I was involved with. For years I was performing with different bands in Finland before I decided to start making my own music – for real. I had a lot of experience in recording and editing music so it was quite easy for me to start recording my own songs. In 2014 I moved to England and lived around Oxford for around two years. During that time I performed in lots of different venues and did a music video with ChartHouse Music Ltd, who are an artist development company based in London. I also organized some music events during my time in the UK which was a new, different experience for me.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Amanda Aalto: I thank my parents for inventing it.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Amanda Aalto: I have downloaded quite a lot of songs online, to pages like Soundcloud and Bandcamp, where you can listen to them free but you can’t download them (except on Bandcamp for a small sum of money). I think sharing your music online is a good way of getting your songs noticed. Today people spend a lot of time online – like it or not, but that’s a fact – so getting your music out there is very important, esspecially if you are just starting out.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Amanda Aalto: Well it is always difficult when you are starting out. I think it’s important to do as much as you can and try to stay positive. When you are looking for gigs I think the best way is just to walk into the venue where you would like to play and just ask for a gig. Never turn down a gig offer – even if it seems to be the smallest venue ever there might be someone in the audience who could take you to the next level. You never know.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Amanda Aalto: Naturally. I think making mistakes is a part of performing live. It usually brings the audience closer to the performer, so instead of seeing it as a bad thing it could be seen as a good thing. Even though it would be hard to admit at the time.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Amanda Aalto: I am not touring at the moment. I have done gigs in Finland and in the UK and usually there is always something interesting going on. Can’t remember anything specific at the moment, sadly!
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Amanda Aalto: Usually if I just wait a certain period of time a new song will come up. I can be quite shy as a person so writing songs is probably my way of processing things. I am also very interested in all kinds of ancient things and myths and so on, so that is one thing you can notice when you listen to my songs.
My songwriting process can vary from time to time. Usually a new song comes up when I’m just messing around with my guitar, find a nice tune and start working on it with some lyrics. That is how it usually goes but like I said, I like to try new songwriting techniques from time to time.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Amanda Aalto: I use Soundcoud (https://soundcloud.com/amanda-aalto), Bandcamp (https://amandaaalto.bandcamp.com/) and Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR-vaygkuD1Qs-UAFHwESSA). I also have a music profile on Twitter (https://twitter.com/AmandaAMusic) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AmandaAaltoMusic).
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Amanda Aalto: Let me think. I am very old fashioned with technology and it’s been a while since I last listened to my mp3 – to be honest, I have no idea where it is at the moment. No, I don’t think I have anything really embarrassing at the moment, sorry!
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Amanda Aalto: Oh, this is such a difficult question! I would probably purchase a dream home with my own recording studio. Or travel. And give some money to charity. And buy better equipment to do recordings. No, it’s too difficult to give just one answer to this question!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Amanda Aalto: I am working with a new album that is coming out in the spring of 2017. There are also two new music videos coming out and a cover song release on Soundcloud.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Amanda Aalto: I am an active user of Soundcloud – I find the atmosphere very encouraging and it’s a good way of finding new fans. I also use Youtube and Bandcamp regularly, Twitter and Facebook as well but not so often. I think Souncloud and Youtube have worked best for me so far even though it might be difficult sometimes to get your songs noticed.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Amanda Aalto: Would love to perform with Dead Can Dance. Just absolutely love their music.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Amanda Aalto: New album “Insomnia” coming out in the spring of 2017, new music videos and hopefully new gigs as well. I have been thinking of another music project too, maybe finding a band so I could focus more just on the singing but it’s still too early to say anything more specific.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Amanda Aalto: I have also studied fine arts so I would probably do more art. I also write short stories and poems so I even if I wasn’t gifted in music I would find a way to express myself.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Amanda Aalto: Haha, oh yes! It was an album of “Scatman” and I was 5 years old. I bought it as my birthday present. I really loved his moustache.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Amanda Aalto: Well, it is difficult sometimes but lately I’ve been lucky to have more time to do my music. When you are doing everything by yourself, it takes a lot of your time every day. I think it is just about making those everyday choices, how much you are willing to sacrifice for your dream to come true.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2017?
Amanda Aalto: New album, new music videos and new gigs coming soon so stay tuned!
