An Interview With The Soulful Pop Artist, DEARLY!

Get to know the new soulful pop artist – Nashville-based Dearly, previously known as Amanda Jones. While branded as Amanda Jones, she achieved some amazing feats, including playing live with YouTube sensations Cimorelli and releasing an EP produced by Morgan Dorr and John Keefe of Boys Like Girls. Now, she has rebranded as Dearly, and released her first single under the new moniker on May 18th, titled “Get With You Alone.

Connect With Dearly Here:

Twitter: twitter.com/itsdearly

Instagram: instagram.com/itsdearly

Facebook: facebook.com/itsdearly

Website: www.itsdearly.com

Learn more about Dearly in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time, Dearly! Where does this interview find you now? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

I just spent my day at a music business conference here in Nashville! Now I’m resting and getting ready for my release. So excited!

Overall, how do you think 2018 has been treating you and your music career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it?

2018 has been insane for me so far-i’ve grown a TON, and am excited to see what the rest of the year brings. One of my goals for this year was to collaborate with lots of other artists- songwriters, photographers, etc. I’ve done quite a bit of that so far but am hoping to do even more!

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience?

I saw the movie Annie in first grade and it completely changed my life. Years prior to that I was super shy and wouldn’t talk to anyone beyond my family- after seeing that movie, I started to sing and really dive into poetry and music. My parents aren’t musical but my brother is, so we both grew up expressing ourselves through music. It became a solid part of our lives.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown of Portland and where you live today in Nashville? If you don’t think that it has affected you at all, why is that?

Portland has 100% influenced my music over the years, and I love Nashville because in some ways it’s an extension of Portland. Sure I’m in the South and it can be very different too, but many of the shows I go to and the trends I see are similar to back home. Growing up I went to a lot of local/ indie shows, and over the years learning from those artists really helped to mold me into who I am today.

I find it interesting that sometimes musicians choose to go by something other than their own name so how did you come up with Dearly and why not just go by your own real name? Why did you decide to transition out of being called Amanda Jones?

Long story short: I grew up and needed a fresh start. My old project was straight up, fun pop: and there’s nothing wrong with that- I just reached a point where it wasn’t me anymore and I needed a full blown change to be happy as an artist. I was brainstorming names about 2 years ago now, and I just kept going back to “Dearly”. I loved the definition of it and felt like I could really tie it into who I wanted to become as an artist!

Later this week you will be releasing your newest single called “Get With You Alone.” What was the inspiration for this track? How do you think it compares to anything else that you have put out? How is similar?

This track is 100% completely different from anything i’ve released before. “Get With You Alone” is about wanting someone who already has a lover, and wishing they would change their mind and choose you instead. It has a groovy vibe and i’m really excited for the world to hear it.

When do you hope to release more new music and a full collection of new songs?

I’m hoping to have another single released very soon!

What do you think makes for an ideal show for you? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far? Do you have any upcoming shows in Nashville this summer?

I love shows where the audience really WANT to listen to your music/ the messages you’re trying to share- I think that makes all the difference. Stay tuned for some new show announcements coming soon!

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

My music is very heavily influenced by the politically charged time we are facing right now, and more of my views/ feelings on this topic will be revealed through new music very soon.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all?

I’ve been slacking at twitter hardcore haha! I think instagram is more entertaining for me, but i’m trying to get back into the swing of maintaining everything again.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Lana Del Rey is the queen. She’s so inspiring! I have so much respect for her, working with her someday would be an absolute dream.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you?

Definitely my guitar!

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

At the end of the day, I hope my fans take away that they can be whoever they want to be, love who they want to love, wear what they want to wear- to just be unapologetically themselves.

Where can our readers connect with you?

You can find me on instagram, twitter and facebook @itsdearly