AMILLS INTERVIEW

“I grew up listening to rock music and playing in rock bands, and then found the underground trap, emo rap, and hip-hop scene”

“My late grandfather taught me my first chords on the guitar when I was 10, and I think that was when I started writing”

What is your name? How old are you?

Where are you from?

I’m AMILLS, I’m 21, and I’m from South East London. I’m an independent artist and music producer. I’m also doing a degree in visual effects at the moment. It’s a bit crazy.

What do you do? And how did you get into it?

I’ve always been into music, writing for as long as I can remember. My late grandfather taught me my first chords on the guitar when I was 10, and I think that was when I started writing. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who was songwriting; I used to think I was a little weirdo. I used to take two audio recorders and overdub myself. I am sure somewhere there’s an audio recording of my first song...

I got into production during 2020 quarantine with an old iPad running GarageBand and a cheap USB mic. That was really the turning point in the music production journey. I find solace in writing and producing. I’d say it kept me sane but I had lost my mind long before that point! *laugh*

What / who inspires you creatively?

I grew up listening to rock music and playing in rock bands, and then found the underground trap, emo rap, and hip-hop scene. My influences include rock musicians and guitarists such as Richie Kotzen, grunge-pop artists such as Avril Levigne, plus contemporary R&B such as Always Never and the XX, and trap/ underground emo-rap such as $uicideboy$, Lund, Bones, SAINt JHn, Nothing Nowhere, and Lil Peep.

What work of yours are you most proud of? What inspired it?

Last year I released a track called Somebody You Could Worship which is going to be re-released alongside an awesome music video. It was inspired by a relationship that messed with my head pretty bad. I’m working on several exciting new EPs currently, all with different vibes.

I went quiet for a minute to level up, and it’s gonna be sweet to get out there doing some shows again.

Somebody You Could Worship was my debut, it’s about queerness, and a relationship not working because of conflict in a family that is more traditional.

What is a goal you’re working to reach within your work?

Ultimately develop a bigger following and work with more awesome and talented individuals. The goal is to get more music out my head, off the paper and into the world. Out here just getting started for real.

If you could collaborate with any artist dead or alive who would it be?

Great question. I’d imagine Juice Wrld or xxxtentacion, peep, or biggie would have been incredible rappers to work with.

What’s your favourite music genre?

As much as I love underground hip hop my favourite genre is actually psychedelic rock. Huge fan of Dope Lemon, Babe Rainbow, and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Gotta have good music to trip to.

What song have you had on repeat lately?

My own back catalogue! haha..

I’m actually an album person. I’ll listen to the full works. The same album on repeat has got to be Nine Inch Nails Downward spiral. It’s an incredible body of work.

Isn’t it crazy how they recorded most of that in the Tate murder house. 10050 Cielo Drive. Talk about crazy shit people do for inspiration, for clout, and just ‘cause they can.

WANT TO LISTEN?