An Interview with Emerging Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Amanda Beltz

My mission is to bridge the gap between spirit and body with music and love. ~ Amanda Beltz

My interview with Amanda Beltz, talented songwriter and vocal artist from Sacramento, CA, is part of my series entitled, “A Higher Love”. originally published in AKR Magazine, Sept 2023. My aim in this series has been to uplift emergent artists or creatives (mostly local) who have a high calling to create, yet are not in the mainstream spotlight, but are immensely dedicated, talented, and worthy of being seen and heard. As I interviewed Amanda, and listened to her songs, I became acutely aware of let's call it, her vibrational DNA, and how perfectly it serves the world at this time. I’m sure, for many of us, it’s become increasingly evident that we are living in precarious times. Yet, I can’t help but see the rising tide of people everywhere stepping deeply into their creativity and self-discovery. This rising tide is a real and effectual counter response to what seems to be an accelerating global government that continues to give larger corporations more and more power over society. And as corporations reel in record profits from humanity’s labor or more accurately our energy and creativity, “we the people” become more and more disempowered to live authentic lives that truly serve our purpose and the world at large. Thus, the antidote to this tyranny is to awaken to who we are truly created to be, and to create from this truth.

So, what does this have to do with Amanda Beltz? Let the music play! Amanda is an emergent artist who transmutes this tyranny in her own gentle but powerfully creative way. Her voice is a portal to the heart, a way to remember the sweet innocence and ease of our innate nature as spiritual beings having a human experience. Her songs are stunningly simple, beautiful, and unitive. Her artistry is a mirror of the divine inherent in all of us, especially the divine feminine. Her song, Ride Sunshine, an original by Amanda, soon to be released as part of her EP Sway, is a smooth and paradisical ride into the splendor and unity of love and the natural world. And her newest title track, Sway, released as a single and written for her husband, offers us an alluring invitation to reconnect with the simple sway and beauty of the ocean as she melodically serenades the man she loves. Amanda also sings stunning covers and collaborates with musicians and producers across genres.

As you read her interview, I think you will find parallels and influences in Amanda’s life that are seamlessly present in her music. The connection, depth, power, and beauty she brings to her songs is purpose driven and has been hard-won, such is the power of transmuting darkness to light.

You can find Amanda’s music on Instagram, YouTube, and all digital music platforms. Enjoy her interview!

INTERVIEW

(RJ) How would you describe yourself as an artist?

(AB) I am a spiritual creative who is ever evolving. All of us as humans are evolving through our life experiences and perceptions. I believe we should allow for creativity to flow as freely as possible because art/music is limitless and timeless.

(RJ) What is your primary intention or purpose as an artist? And can you name what it is that you are expressing or giving to your audience through your songs?

(AB) My primary intention and purpose is to bring love and awareness to my audience. I believe in singing a message to awaken feelings and spiritual awareness. Words are so powerful, and they allow the audience to feel. I love to create the experience to feel, to tap into the unconscious. When I look into my audience’s eyes, I see myself. All the expansive reflections that are each a part of yourself coming together in one space. The audience, the musicians all aligning in a moment in time to feel the vibration of sound.

(RJ) Tell me about your journey and how you discovered your talent as a vocalist/artist?

(AB) Since I can remember, I used music as therapy to get through some soul expanding challenges. My mother struggled with mental illness throughout my childhood that exposed me to some very scary circumstances, and I didn't know my father. The men that did come into my life were abusive and I lived in fear many days. I took on a motherly role at a young age to my younger brother and told myself I needed to be strong for the both of us. I was bullied through elementary school and felt very alone. The pen, the paper and my voice were there to bring through the pain that was held inside. I didn't realize until others started to say that I had talent. I remember sitting in the back of my aunt’s van at the age of 7 singing to the radio. She turned the stereo down and said who was that? I said, “me,” softly. Her response was “that sounds good Amanda.” I sang because it felt good, and I sang because it allowed me to feel connected to my divine guidance. As I sang in front of others more, it became a way of connecting with them. I then realized God gave me a gift and a mission. My mission is to bridge the gap between spirit and body with music and love. To remind others they are not alone and to have hope. We are a soul, energy, not just this body. Mental illness is not just mental it is very much spiritual. Music is a way to tune in and transmute negative energies.

(RJ) Who were your influences and what helped to shape your vocal style and talent?

(AB) I was blessed to be raised by my grandparents in the beginning of my childhood after being taken from my mother at the age of 2. It played a big role in a more solid foundation and my grandmother gave me the love I needed. My beautiful grandmother gave me a song book that would play Christian hymns. Some of them were “This Little Light of mine”, “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”, and “Jesus Loves Me”, to name a few. The songs brought me comfort when I felt confusion, and they grounded me. My grandparents expanded my musical library to Etta James, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and so much more! I would roll around my grandfather’s garage on his stool as he worked on cars and blasted his music. I would listen and try to mimic all of the sounds with my voice. When I left my grandparents and I moved back in with my mother and new stepfather, I was shaped by so many more styles. They listened to a lot of 80s Rock. I also loved Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera as well as Shania Twain. I found strength in these women that I didn't see in my life. I was in awe of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s vocal abilities. Some of their songs got me through hard times and inspired me to try new runs vocally. In particular the song, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin really hit home for me. Most of the men that came into my life didn't have the respect for women that I felt they should. This song reminded me of my worth when I was young and still today. Everyone deserves respect and love.

(RJ) What is your creative process like? Do you write your own songs, or do you sing mostly covers?

(AB)I love to sit with my pen and paper in a quiet place. I love to write my own songs, I find it to be more of a spiritual experience almost like I am downloading messages. All my feelings can come up to be processed. Covering songs is also very therapeutic when I feel the connection. I used to sing this song called “One Voice,” by a young country singer by the name of Billy Gilman. As a child this song helped me to realize I was not alone in the feelings I was experiencing. A part of my creative process I can look like I’m playing in Garage Band. It is an awesome resource for making a beat and a rough draft. I enjoy layering the many sounds and creating music. Experimenting with loop pedals and new instruments is a continual joy. Sometimes I will throw on a free beat on YouTube and it will inspire my writing, other times I will collaborate with other musicians, and we will create something I could not have on my own. In other moments, a melody can seemingly come into my ear, and I have to run to find a pen or push the record button on my phone, so I don't forget the lyrical blessing coming through.

(RJ) What challenges do you currently face as an artist?

(AB) Learning to balance and I laugh because I think life is a constant changing and fluctuating energy that you have to learn to flow with. As a mother of 4 beautiful children, I find myself having to be super intentional about my space to create, and as a woman having to get out of my own way to do so. It is easy by default to put the needs of everyone around you in front of yourself. Being of service to others is a wonderful thing but I have to remember that what fills up my cup will serve many.

(RJ) How important is building a real relationship with the songs you’re singing and the musicians you’re playing with?

(AB) Relationships are everything! We see ourselves in everyone whether we are aware of it or not. Working with others, getting to connect and create together expands the messages in the songs. The musicians I am blessed to work with are each bringing their unique ear and talent to the song. I love that music brings people together and connects them all in the moment. The moment of now!

(RJ) What kinds of things, i.e., current events, personal experiences, etc. are inspiring your work at the moment?

(AB) Truthfully, love is always inspiring my work. I know that what I focus on will be created in this reality and I strive to focus on love. My family and our experiences together inspire me daily. Our children get to show my husband and I how to love more. We recently downsized our home significantly and I am so grateful for it. Letting go of all the things we don't really need has been such a blessing. Letting go of physical things to let in more experiences. My goal is to live more intentionally every day and show compassion for others while giving grace for my own shortcomings. These are some of my personal experiences that influence my work.

(RJ) What do you learn or how do you grow/evolve as a person through your music?

(AB) I learn what is in my heart and I grow with the experiences I am blessed with. Sometimes I don't realize it is a blessing in the moment but when I look back and reflect, I see the beautiful tapestry of my life that is in my becoming. Hard things don't have to break you, they make you.

(RJ) What are you currently working on and with whom?

(AB) I am currently working on releasing my songs, Ride Sunshine and Gold Heart. I have been working with the amazing “Juan Ugly Fingers Blair”, a musician and producer in Sonoma Ca. These two songs are a part of the Sway EP and are my first songs to be released independently. Sway being the first was a collaboration with my friend Pat Mays, a wonderful guitar player in Sacramento. I have recently been playing with a fantastically talented band in Sacramento called Analog Jazz. We do covers from the 50's through now, with a Jazzy twist. As well as play my original music.

(RJ) What do you envision for your future as an artist and what impact do you hope to have?

(AB) I envision inspiring others to do what they love, and I hope the love I share brings feelings of warmth and inspiration to their souls. I envision bringing people together from all walks of life to connect and remember who they are. A soul having an experience.

(RJ) In closing, is there anything you’d like to convey to our readers or audience that you feel is important or relevant to you or to other emergent artists?

(AB) Remember that you hold the power. No one else can tell you what you can do but you. Take the first step in doing what you love, we didn't come out of the womb walking. I will close with one of my very favorite quotes from the beautiful Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”--

Originally Published in AKR Magazine ( Sept. 2023) as part of the Higher Love Series in the Column, Joan of Audio and Music by Raine Jordan