With her genre-hopping catalogue and emotionally frank songwriting, Ami Leigh has never followed the expected route to musical recognition. She writes from the quiet corners many artists are afraid to enter, offering listeners a lifeline through the shadows of anxiety, isolation, and self-doubt. In this interview, she opens up about the autobiographical pulse of Birds (You Are a Mystery), the sonic evolution sparked by new collaborators, and how her neurodivergent perspective continues to shape both her lyrics and live performances. Rather than chasing trends or pandering to platforms, she leans into vulnerability with defiant grace, inviting her audience to feel seen without ever asking for sympathy. From Sooty’s sidekick Sweep making cameos in the studio to soul-searching tracks like Broken, due out later this month, Leigh’s reflections carry a rare kind of intimacy.
Welcome back to A&R Factory, Ami Leigh. It’s a real pleasure to speak with you, especially after seeing your sound resonate so strongly across continents and connect so deeply with audiences over the years.
Birds (You Are A Mystery) sounds like a strikingly honest reflection of your experience navigating the world as a performer on the autistic spectrum. What prompted you to write that song, and how do you hope it lands with listeners who might be facing similar feelings of isolation?
I wrote Birds (You are a mystery) in 2019 and released it in March 2020. The song came to me when I was in my studio just sat wondering on my own listening to the birds outside. I had the riff and then started to pull the lyrics together and they kind of just fell into place. I was feeling a little down and my mind was contemplating the loneliness of not having any friends and always wanting to fit in with the crowd. The first verse in the song says it all really “I want to fly like the birds in the sky, wave them bye as a tear falls from my eye, why do I cry”. I hope it lands with people who find themselves in a similar positions although, take comfort from the beautiful relaxing melody and feel better about themselves. It’s a bit like one of those great songs that are sad songs, you know Rainy Days and Mondays.
You’ve shown such a fluid ability to move across genres while always keeping what makes your music so special intact. Do you feel that versatility comes from instinct, or has it been shaped by specific musical influences over time?
I think in the beginning with my two EP’s Dark Soul, Light Heart and Flight, they were based upon the influences of Pink Floyd, George Michael and The Cure and the fact that my producer at the time Wayne McAloon (yes, a relative of the Prefab Sprout McAloon) was in isolation due to health issues and we could only work remotely and therefore, there was no studio time together. However, since working with Neil Gibson in the studio, we have a relationship where we bounce off each other really well, we allow songs to grow organically and we both really challenge each other to go outside our comfort zones. We have great fun as well and you will hear this on the beginning of one of my future tracks “Wait and See” where Sweep (Sooty’s friend) makes an appearance at the beginning of the song (we have a laugh with Sweep every time as he is Neil’s mic cover).
Breaking to the next level as an independent artist is notoriously tough. What have been the biggest challenges for you in figuring out who to trust, especially when there’s pressure to invest in your own success?
This has been one of the most difficult areas of the business for me, especially when you do not have the funds, know people in the industry or, are lucky enough to have been born into an entertainment industry family. I have been approached by lots of people saying they can help me make the next step in my music career. However, it always turns out that there’s a price to pay and it’s not affordable. I have been approached by many people with big promises and then they hit you with the big bucks and can never promise you results. Now that is service for you!!!
As someone who’s faced social anxiety and learning difficulties, how has performing helped shape your confidence, and what role does music play in helping you communicate when words might fall short?
Being a musician is everything to me. It makes me feel worthy and fulfilled to know that I can make people feel good about themselves when they hear me performing. I am often told that I am humble and shy, and I am not good at taking compliments very well because I do not know how to react to them. I always ask myself, am I really worthy of this praise. I get so many compliments from audiences who love my singing and slowly I am building a great fan base and following. Music helps me get everything that is going on in my head and my feelings, out into the world. Without music, I would just bubble it up inside and probably explode LOL!!
You’ve had the recognition of international radio stations and even caught the attention of a Nashville producer. Has that kind of feedback shifted your mindset or ambitions in any unexpected ways?
Again, my humbleness takes centre stage every time. It has shifted my mindset, given me confidence although I am still shy and struggle with words on radio interviews. We have a joke in the family that when I go to hug someone, I accidentally hit them in the face because I do not know where to position my hands and I am incredibly socially awkward. At least I haven’t done a Rachel from Friends YET!! The contact and Zoom call with world class producer Dean Miller from Nashville was fantastic. We were all so excited to sit down and talk with him and he was keen to produce some of my songs. However, we had an open and frank conversation with him about how we would be able to promote and market the world class songs he would produce and, unfortunately at this moment in time, I do not have the following on Tik Tok and funds to get the most out of the investment. Perhaps next year?
With new music on the cards for 2025 and early conversations about a 2026 album, what’s inspiring this next body of work, and how does it compare to what you’ve shared so far?
Well, as you know I am somewhat of a Chameleon (love that band as well, Mark Burgess, he is an influence). Anyway, I digress. My inspiration for my tracks are based upon personal experiences, other artists and day to day life. My next release is Broken, which is out on the 29th August. I think the title speaks for itself, it is about being broken and making the same mistakes over and over again. It is a soulful track especially with a chorus of soul singers and always in keeping with my Americana influence. After that we will have to “Wait and See”, Sorry, that is a play on words because this is the name of a track I will be dropping at some point after Broken. Wait and See will be a little more upbeat and having the Americana influence again, with a hint of The Lumineers. The album, which is being discussed, will be a vinyl release next year and a collection of the best of my previous songs and a couple of brand-new ones as well.
Do you find that writing music gives you a space to reflect and reset, or is it more of a way to reach out and make a connection with others?
I find writing music to be more of a way to reach out and make connections with others. In the past my songs have helped and supported people who are experiencing issues or, are enjoying the lighter side of life. This is my way of making connections with people because I find it difficult making those one-to-one connections due to my Neuro Divergence. I think this is why I am able to perform to a crowd as well, because it is not one-to-one, and I can express the emotions of the songs through the lyrics and the music and hide behind the persona of Ami Leigh.
Your lyrics often carry a deep sense of vulnerability and resilience. Are there particular themes or personal experiences you’re exploring more openly in the songs you’re currently working on?
Yes, I think it’s fair to say I have openly explored various topics recently including narcissism, depression, love and break-ups. How it works for me is, I will create a riff and then explore how the riff makes me feel, what picture does it paint in my mind. This usually gives me the topic to write about. So, I suppose we will have to wait and see what themes develop from my next songs. Taking it back to full circle, my songs will always have that dark and light, Ying and Yang about them. I do have a cheeky little dark side to me and my music!!!!
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Interview by Amelia Vandergast
