Quick Q and W with Amy Petty
 by Kathy S-B  ·  14 May 2010

Amy Petty has a voice. Actually I should say Amy Petty has a Voice. Or better still, she has a VOICE! As many have acknowledged, it’s not often that a debut CD has as much punch and power as Amy’s “Mystery Keeps You.” Amy’s classical training is evident in the way she weaves her musical tales with lush, harmonious vocals and pristine musicianship.

Learn more about Amy on her website. Check out this video of Amy telling the story about how she got her record deal and hear her sing her beautiful song, “July.”

For someone who was raised on rock and roll since your father was involved with a popular rock band back home in Michigan, what prompted you to study classical music / opera in college?

I’ve always loved all types of music. I loved choral singing, rock and roll, early music, punk, grunge, classical . . . I just loved music. While I liked singing rock and roll, I never really felt like I had the personality for it. I was a little too quiet, conservative and introverted to be a rock star. And I never even considered that I might be able to write my own songs. Classical music, opera specifically, seemed like a logical choice. It gave me the opportunity to perform, to become different characters, to live a life immersed in art and culture. And not everyone is capable of creating an operatic sound. I was and I was pretty good at it!

Did you pursue opera as a career?

I got my degree in classical voice, singing with various orchestras, chorales and opera companies while studying for my degree. I was learning operatic roles as a dramatic soprano, singing Verdi, Mozart and Puccini. I was accepted to The Academy of Vocal Arts, a prestigious opera program in Philadelphia. I moved to Philly and began working toward a full-time career as an opera singer.

What brought you to the singer-songwriter world?

It didn’t take long for me to start feeling a little stifled artistically as an opera singer. As a scholarship student at AVA, singing anything other than the assigned operatic roles was discouraged. I’ve always been a creative and artistic person, and I felt like I wasn’t able to do everything that I loved by strictly singing classically. I quit the program and devoted myself to learning to play the guitar. I found that I was able to write some interesting lyrics and melodies, so I kept at it . . .

Do you have any favorite tunes on your CD, “Mystery Keeps You”?

I love all of the songs on “Mystery Keeps You” (but I’m supposed to say that). I’m particularly fond of ‘Broken Record’ . . . it came to me all in one instant as I was driving down I-93 in Boston. It’s clever and catchy . . . and it never ceases to boggle my mind that I thought of it! I’m particularly proud of ‘Honey on the Skin’. It’s complex and intricate, musically, lyrically and emotionally. But I think ‘July’ defines me as a person, musician, performer and artist. It’s the story of my life and musical journey.

Do you enjoy the recording process or do you find it grueling and emotionally taxing?

I LOVE recording. The studio is my favorite place on earth. I really love performing, but I had no idea that I would love the recording process as much as I do. I get to be more than just a songwriter when I’m in the studio. I get to be a composer and use all of the tools in my toolbox, from songwriting to my choral music experience. And it doesn’t hurt that I’m working with the greatest people in the universe at Red Pill Entertainment in St. Louis. We’re currently working on my second CD and I’m loving every minute of it!