Project Description
Interview with
LITTLE GREEN
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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Little Green aka Amy Nelson is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Sydney who’s unique style can be described a little bit of everything from jazz, folk, hippy and earthy. Aiming to uplift the human spirit and bring the world closer together through music, Nelson’s message as an artist is to share a childlike appreciation of the world around her. Travelling to Madrid to team up with Spanish producer Diego Seijas to record her first EP at just eighteen years of age, Little Green is an artist beyond her years that you will want to keep your eyes on.
At the tender age of 19, just some of her achievements include:
‘Jann Rutherford Memorial Mentorship Prize’ for Sydney Young Women in Jazz 2016
Awarded mentor sessions with renowned, Australian saxophonist Sandy Evans 2016
Accepted into the Sydney Conservatorium of Music 2017 (Composition, Creative Music, and Digital Music and Media)
HSC compositions nominated for New South Wales encore performance 2017
1stplace in the ‘Songs on Stage Song Quest’ for original singer/songwriters in Sydney 2017 (run by Russell Neal in Newtown)
Winner of the ‘Mullum Music Festival Mentorship Program’ (vocal category) 2017
Accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston, and awarded a scholarship 2018
Support act for Bradley Stone on his “I Choose You” tour 2018
Music tutor at Bennelong Music 2018 (piano, guitar, bass, flute, sax, drums)
Current volunteer at FBi radio station 2019 (one of 30 accepted, out of 200 applicants)
Studying a bachelor of songwriting at JMC, starting 2019
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How did you first get into music? When did it become a serious concern?
My parents are musicians, so I grew up on it. My dad taught me how to recognize intervals and chords by ear before I started school, as well as little tricks on the guitar and piano. My mum used to sing my sister and I to sleep with Louis Armstrong’s “Summertime” and teach me songs I could sing and play on guitar. We would go watch my mum and dad’s gigs too sometimes which was cool, and we were always listening to CDs at home. I’m very grateful to have such awesome parents, who exposed me to music from such a young age. I was seven when I started playing flute, and throughout the years learnt whatever instrument I could get my hands on. My dad recorded me singing the first song I wrote when I was 3, titled ‘Bumblebee’. I don’t think it crossed my mind to follow music as a career path until I was about 16/17. I started writing songs, going to open mic nights, gigging, immersing myself in the scene, and realized it was all I wanted to do. Rather than asking myself why I would follow music, I asked why not? I’m following my authentic path, living my best life, doing what I love.
What kind of music did you grow up on? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
Jazz and folk-pop were the main genres. The sound track to my childhood was formed by artists like Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, James Morrison, The Jackson 5, Jason Mraz, and all the jazz standards e.g. Autumn Leaves, Moondance and Summertime. Joni Mitchell is of course one of my biggest inspirations. Her album ‘Blue’ was often playing, and ‘Little Green’ is a reference to one of her songs.
I have always been into old school music. But I also draw a lot of inspiration from new, innovative artists who are pushing boundaries. For example, FKJ, Maggie Rodgers, Tash Sultana, Tom Misch, Willow Smith. The two things that usually make me fall in love with a song are lyrical depth and a great groove.
How would you describe your sound?
I often ask people that exact question out of curiosity. People have saidjazzy, folky, blues, pop, indie, hippy, earthy, angelic and more. I am still creating and refining my own sound, but I generally go with jazz-indie-pop as a quick answer.
You will be releasing your debut single “Sweet Pain” on the 28th March. What can we expect from the release?
In terms of the song itself, people can expect an indie-pop track, that uplifts and connects with anyone who has experienced pain. This is my first release, so I have no idea what it will lead to in the future. Because making the track was such an insane experience, I see every opportunity from this point forward as a bonus. If there is one thing I would love to come out of this release, it is opportunities to collaborate and make more music!
What inspired you to write the song?
I wrote Sweet Pain with the intent of helping myself so that I can help others. It was inspired by a time in my life, where I had to let go of a lot of things. Letting go of a loved one, letting go of a past version of myself, letting go of the need to be happy all the time. It was also a time when I was realising the power of the mind in overcoming pain, or challenges in general. I like to write songs with an uplifting message.
What was it like to be the support act for Bradley Stone on his “I Choose You” tour last year?
Supporting Bradley Stone was the coolest experience! I remember texting my mum that there was a proper sound guy, and a green room and everything. The crowd was beautiful, Bradley’s music was magical, and I was buzzing for days afterwards.
If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
If I was being realistic, I would take my best/oldest friend. It would be very grounding, and awesome to have someone to know and trust to share the experience of touring with. My fantasy would be to take everyone from F.R.I.E.N.D.S because Phoebe, Joey, Monica, Chandler, Rachel and Ross are my favourite people that don’t exist.
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You received mentoring from Australian saxophonist Sandy Evans – how did her guidance influence or guide you? What was the mentoring experience like?
That was one of the best experiences in terms of developing my musicianship. Just listening to her play was beyond inspiring. She demonstrated the discipline and dedication it takes to be a musician, and I found that really exciting. I was self-taught up to that point, so our sessions were invaluable in fast-tracking my improvement, and opening me up to the world of jazz/improvised music. I definitely incorporate things she taught me into my flute/sax solos, and my practice routines. Aside from the technical aspect of our sessions, her passion for music was what struck me most. Passion is infectious, and she definitely helped me to spark mine.
Which jazz artists have inspired or influenced you most?
Ella Fitzgerald, Paquito D’Rivera, Nora Jones, Nina Simone, Nat Adderley, Sandy Evans, Esperenza Spalding.
What are your plans for this year beyond the release of “Sweet Pain”?
After the release of Sweet Pain, I will be planning the release of my second single, leading up to the release of my full debut EP. I’m organising a single launch for the 26thApril, and there will be an EP launch after that too. After the EP, the next step is to collaborate with as many artists as possible. But I am a pretty spontaneous person, so I may or may not follow this plan. My main plan is to say yes to life!
How are you enjoying your time at FBi radio station? Have you considered working in radio?
I start training next week! I know I am going to love it. Walking in the door is an experience in itself. Being surrounded by socially conscious, creative people is the best. I think it would be super fun to work in radio. I love meeting people and getting to know their stories, so being a talk show host that interviews bands/artists/creative people, or something like that would be pretty awesome.
What goals or aspirations do you have for your career in the coming years?
My plan is to make a living from my original music, and then see how far I can go after that. I want to get to a place in my career where I can reach out to anyone in the industry and say, let’s make music.
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?
Album: I can’t pick a favourite album, because there are so many, but two albums I recently discovered that I dig are Tom Misch’s “Geography” and Maggie Rogers’ “Heard it in a Past Life”
Artist: Too hard haha
Movie: Moana! I love the story, the animation, the sound track… Lin-Manuel Miranda is a genius. And I totally resonate with Moana as a character.
Place:
1) The beach: Because the ocean fixes everything
2) The Blue Mountains: Most of my childhood was spent there, and it’s the place I consider home. I feel a sense of nostalgia, and re-connection when I go back. And there is so much nature! I am definitely a nature girl.
Drink: Water, because I’d literally die without it
Meal: Dark chocolate dipped in green tea… and sushi!
Person: Does my cat count? Just kidding, I don’t know this one
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Follow LITTLE GREEN
Facebook | Instagram | Website
Soundcloud | Youtube | Soundcloud
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