When was the last time you put on a love song? If you are in love or out of love, or not in love at all, listening to “Kiss” by 16 year young Prague singer and songwriter Amelie Siba will bring back sweet memories. For her second song release Amelie collaborated again with photographer and director Kate Guić on the music videos.
Amelie, Can you tell us the story behind the song „Kiss“. Is it about someone specific?
I wrote the song last summer during a visit to my family in England. I was alone, and I just spent the day thinking about stuff. I sat in the empty lounge with a guitar, and thought back about a relationship I had. I wanted to put down those thoughts into words, describing how I felt, so I could make sense of it in my head. The song’s about what our relationship was like, and that I actually didn’t really know what I wanted out of it.
“New songs come to me normally in my bedroom, often late at night, and I’m sitting on the bed with my guitar. “
Best place for you to write new music?
New songs come to me normally in my bedroom, often late at night, and I’m sitting on the bed with my guitar. I write down ideas and words into my diary for lyrics and for chords.
When did you write and compose your first song and what was it about?
I wrote my first song when I was about 14. It was while I was on a camp I used to attend every year. I dedicated the song to a friend of mine. It was about being in love for the first time.
“It’s brilliant being young. Despite all the mistakes we make and stupid things we do, we learn from it all, and so far I’m enjoying everything life throws at me.”
Do you have any classical music or instrument training or are you self-taught?
No, not at all. When I was 8 my parents wanted me to learn the guitar, but after about a month I refused to go, so my dad took the rest of the lessons. Then when I was 12 I wanted him to play along while I sang. He said I should learn myself. He taught me a couple of chords and that’s how it all started.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
That’s a difficult question. I don’t give it much thought. I know that I want to keep doing something creative, and keep working together with loads of different people. The main thing is to continue developing and moving forward. I hope that in ten years time I will have written a few decent songs and that I’ll be surrounded by people who support me in what I’m doing.
Where in Prague can we find you on a Friday night?
I’m not a huge party animal, so most of the time you’ll find me with friends at some event or other; gallery openings, or small concerts of lesser known bands. Or, just sitting down for a couple of hours chatting with a group of friends somewhere where it’s nice. I’m always finding cool new places to go. Prague is full of opportunities in that respect.
What´s the best thing about being young nowadays – and what´s the most difficult part?
The most amazing thing about now is the internet, and the way it allows young artists to freely share their work, no matter how old they are, and I find that really exciting. And thanks to the internet it’s much easier to network with talented young people, and we’re all developing and discovering together.
Negative? I don’t know. It’s brilliant being young. Despite all the mistakes we make and stupid things we do, we learn from it all, and so far I’m enjoying everything life throws at me.
