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How did it all begin? Where did it start? What were your early music connections? Give us an insight into the Cutt history that led me to be asking you questions today please.

I didn’t pursue music as a profession until a few years ago but it was always something that came very naturally to me and Ive been singing my whole life. I took dance and choir in school, was in various school performances and I even wrote songs as a kid but it wasn’t my main focus because I was a very competitive equestrian growing up so that took up 99% of my time. But the love and the passion for music and singing has always been there and its has always been a part of my identity.

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I’ve seen the description “a hybrid of Britney and Amy”. They are big shoes to fill, with Britney understanding pop so well, and Amy being a legend in many ways. Have you followed these two at all, and were they inspirations? Who else in your past inspired you to be a performer?

Yes definitely big shoes to fill! they are both legendary artists. Growing up and still today I am a huge Britney Spearsfan. I have probably watched her 2000 and 2001 VMA performances about a million times. Her songs, her performances, her voice- that’s who I wanted to be when I started to pursue music. She just has that stage presence- that energy, that I have arrived now pay attention. Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez-there are too many to name but I love an artist who can dance. For Amy Winehouse, I always loved her music and her voice but initially I didn’t see myself in her music but as ive evolved as a person and had to deal with my own struggles I definitely now relate to the self destructiveness and to her as an artist.

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You say you have been sober for two years. Well done on going public and being an example to others. How did that period, and the subsequent time since provide you with creative fuel for the future? Do you feel that challenging period aided your musical journey or held it back?

You know, I was on the fence about whether or not I should be open with it but my music is so tied up with my sobriety that I couldn’t really talk about the music without mentioning it. For many years I was in the cycle of stopping and starting drinking again that so much focus and energy went into that. You don’t really get a chance to live because you are so in your own world trying to get some control. Once you take away that outlet- that oh im so happy lets go drink oh Im in pain lets go drink oh im bored lets go drink, you have to learn to sit with emotions that you’ve numbed yourself out from. It can be hard at times not having that escape but that is where great songs are made- in the uncomfortable emotions you never sat with before.

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What music did you grow up on? Was pop the predominant genre, or were other genres pivotal to your development as an artist?

I grew up listening to everything honestly. Ive been through so many phases. Pop and hip hop was definitely a huge influence as that was what was on the radio but I listened to a lot of soul music and classic rock as well. Elton John, Carole King, the Beatles, Boz Scaggs, were favorites I listened to with my mom. My friends and I listened to a lot of Rap, so Andre Nickatina, NWA, Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Mac Dre, Outlawz etc. The Libertines were my first major inspiration as a songwrite though. I first got introduced to them when I was in the 9^thgrade and I was absolutely obsessed. I loved the stories, I loved the lyrics and it really opened my eyes and my heart to writing. I still listen to every genre depending on my mood but great classic rock- The Eagles, Tom Petty, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, that’s where its at.

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I know how challenging the creative and producing process can be. How good did it feel to complete the video (should we say videos) and EP for “Nightmares”?

Honestly it happened in such baby steps, the whole process took such a long time that when it was actually done I don’t think my brain even registered that we had the product. I was already onto what was next. I think mixing the record and editing the videos was my favorite part because you get to see how important those steps are. At times its scary youre at a place where you aren’t happy with where the song or video is at and you don’t know where to go but then one small piece at a time you make changes and before you know it you have the video or song you were looking for.

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“Nightmares” tackles some challenging life issues. Can you describe the EP’s origin and evolution?

‘Messy’ I wrote and recorded the first version of 3 years ago and that was the first time I ever went in the studio as an artist. I was a couple months sober at the time. From that first session with ‘Messy’, I knew I was on the right path. I began writing songs, working with other musicians, recording demos that I would send off to labels and anyone that would listen. Just trying to make connections. Though I was still working and recording songs, I started drinking again and it got to the point where my voice was just so destroyed that I couldn’t go on any further. I wrote ‘Kind of a Bitch’ and ‘Gets Me Off’ both within my first week of sobriety. Overall it was about 2 years of writing songs and working with various people before I finally got them produced.

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That was a coup to get Scott involved. How did that come about?

That was a gift from the Gods. Honestly, I just reached out over Instagram. I hate to admit this but I didn’t really know who he was. I was looking up songs I liked from the early 2000s hoping to find a great producer who maybe wasn’t working as much anymore and one of the songs I looked up was “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera and it was Scott Storch. I reached out and Scott’s manager responded asking me to send my music. I sent them the stripped down demos for Messy and Kind of a Bitch and the rest is history.

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Any plans to tour the EP? Any plans for a wider tour that may at some stage see you downunder?

Right now a lot of things are up in the air. I am just focusing on exposure for the EP and seeing where that takes me. Everything is just unfolding so trying to take it one step at a time. But most likely yes I will be getting out there soon! I would love to tour Australia. I have never been!

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If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)

Ah depends on the songs I would be performing. But I would probably say Nirvana. Holy S**t, I cant believe I haven’t mentioned them till right now. But yes Nirvana.

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About the future, where do you see yourself in 3-5 years

Touring and performing my sophomore album.

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What are your major goals or milestones?

I don’t want to jinx it haha. I will just say that I am definitely aiming high and I want to do this for a long time. I want to create great songs that people remember.

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Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please?

All good! I love these questions.

Favorite Album: I’m gonna say Libertines, self titled album. Mainly because they were my first love for music. I love Up the bracket too.

Favorite Movie: Dazed and Confused.

Favorite Place: Steakhouses

Drink: Cokeand Shirley Temples

Meal: Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese dressing, Ribeye Steak with mint jelly and creamy horseradish

Person: Tom Petty. Well first off he was just such an amazing artist and his music is indescribable. Just magical. I listen to his hits all the time. But additionally, I saw his documentary and a lot of his interviews and he really just seemed like such a standup guy. Passionate, honest, grounded. He seemed like he really had a great outlook on life. I was lucky that I got to see one of his last performances at Arroyo Seco Festival and it was incredible.

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AMNPLIFY – DB