Amaya and the Echoes Releases “Ghost Eyes”
Is there a particular ethos behind the single/EP/album or any music styles or events that inspired it?
Amaya and the Echoes is a dark pop band that delves into emotional depths, constantly evolving to create broad cinematic sounds that transport listeners into a new world within themselves.
Drawing inspiration from universal issues, particularly current affairs, Amaya and the Echoes’ dramatic, cinematic vibes and haunting, elusive music addresses the global human rights and privacy challenges, continually questioning society and documenting the trials and tribulations we face today.
Amaya and the Echoes' latest EP, "Echoes Within", takes on the risks associated with artificial intelligence and its algorithms, as well as humanity's indifference to the looming climate crisis. This EP explores how climate change wreaks havoc on people's livelihoods and communities, emphasising the increasing dependency on artificial intelligence and the blurring line between humans and machines. The music also touches upon the erosion of privacy, the destruction of identity, and the potential for a dystopian future. The dissonant melodies and diminished harmonies captures the uncertainty that people face when political changes disrupt their lives and draws inspiration from world history as a reference point to provide insights into the contemporary world we live in. This EP marks a shift in sound and perspective, transitioning from reflections on the past to an exploration of current issues and challenges, all while embracing a collaborative approach with band members directing the creative process.
Where was the single/EP/album recorded and who was involved in its production?
Before there was Amaya and the Echoes, there was Amaya. All the EPs to date have been recorded at The Recording Studio with the lead singer of Black Orchid Empire Paul Visser. Visser is a super versatile producer who was able to not only bring Amaya’s classically written piano and film compositions for voice to life but is able to come up with some amazing beats. Visser is the dream weaver, who adds a pop edge to these unique ideas. Whilst I was writing Amaya’s music, I sourced soundscape ideas of what I wanted the end production sound to sound like. Amaya’s good friend Weng Yu really helped to lay the foundation of Amaya’s musical direction and taught me the importance of choosing the ‘right’ sounds to compliment Amaya’s voice and cinematic writing style. As a massive fan of Evanescence, Muse and Nirvana, I follow many great, current artists that influenced Amaya’s dark pop soundscape, such as Au/Ra, Ruelle, Tech Thieves and many more. Blending orchestral dark pop with electronic influences, there is this continual strive to evolve distinctive, dissonant and enigmatic tones, by pushing the realms of harmony, which helps to build this unmistakable sound.
Were there any notable or amusing happenings surrounding the recording/production?
- Kept experimenting with vocal effects, dissonant harmonies and melodies, which ended up with interesting backing vocals used inspired by Gollum from Lord of the Rings
- This is the first EP where there’s solo guitar driven parts in the chorus thanks to Jon’s Heston Blumenthal deconstructed sandwich of parts.
- It was both amusing and endearing to witness Amaya’s depleted the entire larder of tea as she carries our daily tea ritual.
- Paul, the producer had to run through his extensive library of effects just to get the right ambiance to capture the dystopian and futuristic mood with these synth driven electronic and ambient soundscape.
How and where did you get together?
Amaya originally contacted Jon off Bandmix. A mysterious call out of the blue!
Jon said he really didn’t want to get involved with an original music band because he needed to pay the bills! But he was captivated by the project and my work ethic apparently. We would meet up weekly on the boat he was living on in Battersea at the time. Initially, the plan was to get an acoustic set together. We went on to play a series of warm-up gigs around London while we built the band project.
Daf joined us next after hearing the tracks he was also excited to get involved. He joined us an extremely experienced, seasoned and in-demand drummer! He really does keep everything together whilst remaining flexible enough to really let the songs groove.
Then lock down hit and slowed the process. So, like many other artists, we would collaborate by sending recorded parts back and forth between us. Me and Jon also took the chance to record a number of covers over this period. I think a lot of other bands were also doing this. Then Jon would edit them together so that we had a performance we could put on Facebook and YouTube etc and connect with our fans in that way.
Finding a keyboard player was a bit harder. We found one guy...but his world view did not quite coincide with ours...which is fine...we are a pretty tolerant bunch, but he was keen to push his views a bit harder than us let’s say!
We then had another keyboard player but that did not work out. Luckily for us, Daf knew Del. Getting Del on board was really critical for our sound. So much of the studio Amaya sound is electronic that we needed that as a base for everything else. Even better was that we got two Dereks for the price of one. As I mentioned Del’s dad has been vital for getting the project off the ground.
Please provide a one or two-line personal quote that can be attributed to a band member, about either the band themselves or the release. Obviously the more eye-catching this is the better.
A synth junkie with a spending addiction for new keys and devices, Del aspires to have a tower of 10 keyboards at some point ... currently looking for humanoid partner with more hands to play the never-ending additional parts with Amaya's unplayable score ....
Frustrated thespian, ideas man and grown-up gamer, Jon made the transition to Electric guitarist after electrocuting himself on a guitar amp.
The amazing Daf Jones is the backbeat of the band – Amaya and the Echoes’ groove machine, give him a pair of sticks and he will play all night.
Sophisticated smooth operator – Derek Senior is always there, lending a hand, whether it is managing the sound in rehearsal, transport and logistics, or tall tales over his trusty flask of tea.
A spicy noodle fanatic, who loves her soliloquies, Amaya is the driving force behind the band.