We have already heard from Amy Lou this week with the review of her fantastic new single Tonic Wine, but I will let her tell you a little bit more.

A gentle start, for those that don't know you that well. can you tell us a little bit about yourself ?

So I started playing gigs when I was about 15, funnily I grew up playing more acoustic folk music which is very different to more glamorous indie rock I write and play at the moment. I grew up in Dunfermline which culture over the last 40 years has produced some amazing Scottish bands and artists (Big Country , The Skids , Faye Fife and The Rezillos) so growing up surrounded by so much music heritage in such a small toon really helped me grow as an artist.

Who are your musical influences ? 

I grew up listening to whatever my dad put on in the car which meant a lot of Kate Bush , Fleetwood Mac , and Ocean Colour Scene growing up. I adore Kate Bush to this day- she’s brilliantly eccentric and an amazing songwriter and artist.

What is your writing process ? Music or Lyrics First ?

Always lyrics - I write a lot of poetry and spoken word when something’s going on in the world. And more often than not it ends up in a song. My new single Tonic Wine features a spoken word piece that was originally written as a separate piece but it felt so at home with the track that I decided to put it in. 

What is the biggest problem you have had in your music career ?

There’s a lot of underlying sexism in the industry , especially looking at line ups that are constantly not representing people like me. That’s the only disheartening thing but I suppose it puts a notion to try and help and be part of that change.

If you had the opportunity who would you most like to collaborate with and why ?

Again Kate Bush just to fulfill a wee childhood dream , locally though in the Scottish scene I reallllllly love Declan Welsh so that could be dead cool.

Which venue would you most like to headline and why ?

The end game is Barrowlands. It’s my favourite venue in the world and it’s such an iconic and important venue to Scotland.

Looking ahead for this year, what are your plans ? can we expect new music ? and do you have any ambitions that you want to fulfill this year ?

My upcoming single Tonic Wine was released this week on 5th March , it’s getting a lot of a buzz at the moment and Is going down well so far. I’m working on a little project at the moment that will be coming in May it’s something very different and I know my audience are going to love it.

And finally, if you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why ?

Back to Black by Amy Whinehouse , it’s a really beautiful and diverse album. 

Thanks to Amy Lou for a little insight into her songwriting, influences and more.

Amy Lou is currently doing her Awfy Intimate tour at secret locations but as a clue she has at least told us the towns and cities as follows:

Dunfermline - Sunday 8 March

Edinburgh - Thursday 12 March

Have a listen to Amy Lou’s previous single Chania, it another belter of a tune: