1. What was your songwriting inspiration behind ‘Hurts Like Hell? In short – it’s a break up song. But what I love about this song is that it’s not all anger and vengeance. That’s in there and that’s the hook, but it’s balanced with the story of the person in question genuinely reflecting back on the relationship. The line ‘you call me late at night to say you see the light, but I just see the cracks’ kills me: it encapsulates so much. And the song also examines how the narrative of their break up will play out. I think all of that makes it a much richer song than if we had simply stuck to the ‘woman scorned’ vibe!
2. Do you find it easier to write songs like ‘Hurts Like Hell’? Yes! Let’s face it when everything’s going well in your life and there’s no drama, it’s not usually when artists feel at their most inspired or creative. As a songwriter I’ve really started to lean into storytelling, and putting not just parts of my own life – but of others in my life – into my music.
3. This song in particular was written by the ones you call your “dream team” what is it like in the studio when you are with the writing and recording? Writing this song was one of the best experiences I have had so far. We wrote this in Sweden and had this great balance of two Irish writers including myself, and two Swedish writers. We knew we wanted to write a break up song, but one that wasn’t too melancholic. There is something about writing and recording in Stockholm that brings magic when you’re a pop artist. We wrote this the day after I had spent some time with Max Martin, having him listen to my demo’s and offer me some tips and advice at his home studio in Stockholm. I think you can feel his influence across this song.
4. Any other songwriters that you would like to work with on your music? I adore Bonnie McKee – she’s incredible. And I would love to get in a room with Linda Perry!
5. Do you write for other artist’s as well as your own recordings? I’m beginning to! I really needed to take time and work on my craft as a songwriter before I felt ready to take that next step. But I’m starting to write with and for others now thanks to my amazing publishers who have really backed me as a writer.
6. Anyone you would love to calibrate with in the future? what artists inspire you? I’m inspired by so many artists: Vocally- Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion & Mariah Carey. Performance- Britney Spears, Beyoncé & Janet Jackson. I’m totally open for collaborations, and really love when I get to work with the Irish Women In Harmony collective.
7. You became the most played female artist on radio, what was that moment like for you when you found out? I made my team send me the data! I was shook!! It’s really validating to hear that type of news, as it can be hard to keep the faith when you’re an artist. And we definitely experienced some delays in getting the follow up track to Nobody Else released. So to know that this juggernaut of a song had achieved that for me was insane, and a testament to the results you can get when- collectively- radio back you.
8. You have also have sold-out your own headline show at Dublin’s Academy, a debut regional tour, a Late Late Show TV performance and she also signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with BDi music, talk about all that and your feelings for what you have achieved so far? I’m very grateful for every win – 2022 was still a mix bag for those of us in music – trying to find our feet after a very rocky few years. When I look back on it now, I can see all of the achievements, but navigating our way through it was challenging.
9. you are part of the Irish Women in Harmony collective, can you talk more about that? Ruth Anne Cunningham – who is one of Ireland’s most successful songwriters – brought together more than 30 Irish female artists at the start of lockdown to record a cover of the Cranberries hit ‘Dreams’ to raise funds for Safe Ireland. Her vision for the collective was very much to build a community and support system for Irish female artists. And to highlight the range and depth of female talent we have here in Ireland. None of us knew how successful it would become, and it’s been one of the greatest privileges of my career to be a founding member. I cherish the relationships that have come from it, and Ruth Anne has become a real mentor to me too.
10, what advice would you give to any one wanting to be a successful artist in this industry? Don’t give up! You need to be talented, but you need to be resilient and determined. The people who make it work in any creative industry are those who have both.
11. Have you any touring plans? headline or support? any summer festivals? Yes! We have some amazing festivals already announced and more to come, and I’m playing the beautiful Olympia in Dublin in May with an amazing line up, to raise funds for Focus Ireland. I’m also showcasing in Brighton at the Great Escape!
12.Do you have an album coming out in the near future? For now, I’m still focusing on building my fan base single – by – single. I think my EP ‘Confession’ really helped to position me not just as a singer, but as an artist. And off the back of that it’s been amazing
13. Final Messages? Follow me @aimeemusictiktok on TikTok 😉
