Amazing Amy
Gold Coast-born singer-songwriter Amy Shark has gone from unknown to unstoppable musical force – but don’t call her an overnight success.
Amy ShArk’S rise looks swift. Since her debut single, Adore, was played on Triple J’s Unearthed radio program less than three years ago, the now 32-year-old has ticked off everything on an aspiring musician’s wish list: jetting off on several world tours; performing on America’s most popular latenight talk shows; and winning a clutch of ARIA Awards (including 2017 Breakthrough Artist and, in 2018, Album of the Year, Best Female Artist and Best Pop Release). Her debut album, Love Monster, was the bestselling homegrown release of last year and she’s collaborated with the likes of producer Jack Antonoff (who’s worked on albums by Lorde and Taylor Swift) and Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus.
But it would be wrong to call her an overnight sensation. In the years before her Adore breakthrough, Shark (real name Amy Billings) spent her evenings gigging on the Gold Coast and working “regular” jobs (a stint as a video editor for the Gold Coast Titans NRL team among them) to fund time in the recording studio. The juggle was tough but Shark says it’s helped shape her into the type of artist she wants to be.
On a short break between shows on her 12-date tour around Europe, she shared her top tips for adjusting to life on the road and why she still loves the “Goldie”.
What’s been your favourite destination on the tour so far?
Berlin. I’m obsessed with the history of the Berlin Wall and there are some cool punk bars, burger places and beer halls. I also loved Montreal and New York. I’d been to New York before and wasn’t a fan but after spending some time working there, I love it. Walking around, you feel very Carrie Bradshaw.
How do you make yourself feel at home when you’re on the road?
The first thing I do when I get to a new hotel is charge my toothbrush. I’m obsessed. My parents got me braces when I was young so I’m just taking care of their investment.
In what ways is packing for a tour different to packing for a holiday?
Minimal is good. I went on tour with Vance Joy and he was in the same clothes every day. Initially, I was like, “Man, you are so boring”, but now I get it – he has a routine. Now I do it, too; I wear the same T-shirts, tracksuits and jeans.
You’re known for your signature look: sportswear and a topknot. Where does that come from?
I fell into it. When Adore first took off, I had meetings with record labels and I said to Shane [Billings, Shark’s husband], “I don’t know what to wear.” He told me to go with what I was comfortable in so I wore my jeans, an Adidas T-shirt and my hair in a topknot and it stuck. It’s strong. I can walk down the street without a topknot and nobody knows me but with it, people double-take.
How do you deal with fame?
It’s still weird and I think it will be for the rest of my life because I had a whole other life before all this. Everyone is really great – no-one has come up and said anything bad – so it’s lovely when I’m recognised.
Do you relate differently now to songs that you wrote years ago?
They’re almost like a time capsule. It happens with different songs on different nights. [At a recent show,] there was a girl in the front row who started crying uncontrollably as soon as I started playing a song called Leave Us Alone. It reminds me why I wrote it.
You spent years doing small gigs before you found fame. What did that teach you about resilience?
Everything. I’d play four-hour gigs four nights a week and my voice is stronger because of it, my guitar playing is better and so is my banter and understanding of people. I don’t think I’d be the artist I am today if I hadn’t gone through that.
What was it like growing up on the Gold Coast?
My family was a real beach family – we’d go to “The Spit” [Southport Spit] every weekend and make a big thing of it. My friends and I would spend all our time riding bikes, skating or hanging out at the shopping centre. It was so relaxed and warm.
What places would you send visitors to on the Gold Coast?
Burleigh Beach is great and so is Broadbeach Waters – it has heaps of cafés. I’m really proud of this little city. It’s a family-friendly place with a real skating and surfing culture. Coffee has taken off; I go to Bam Bam Bakehouse, Coffee Sisters and Nook Espresso. It’s not Melbourne just yet but it’s getting there. Amy Shark’s 2019 Australian tour begins in Perth on 4 May. Visit amyshark.com.