By: Staff
Amanda Stone, a groundbreaking queer pop artist known for her innovative fusion of dance punk and hyper pop, has just released her highly anticipated single "Overdose."
This captivating track explores the intense, addictive nature of love, weaving a cinematic narrative that blurs the lines between persona and identity. With the creative guidance of veteran producer Gregory Lattimer, who has collaborated with notable acts such as Albert Hammond Jr., The Strokes, and John Strohm, Stone's artistry shines brightly in this dramatic and theatrical piece.
"Overdose" is already making significant strides in the music world, featuring on hundreds of Spotify user playlists, climbing college radio charts, and earning her recognition as an "Artist to Watch" by influential media outlets. This electrifying single marks the first glimpse into her forthcoming debut album, which promises to further push the boundaries of contemporary pop.
The metaphor of "overdosing on love" serves as the song's thematic heart, capturing the overwhelming and consuming aspects of love, a feeling many can relate to. As the artist accelerates into new sonic territory, much like a stolen 1969 red Mustang racing through the night, she embraces the chaotic, exhilarating qualities of modern love stories.
You can find this release on any major platform, see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Overdose" by Amanda Stone!
We had the chance to catch up with Amanda Stone for an exclusive interview in "The Cage" Music Blog.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Hello Amanda Stone, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We’ve had a blast diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more excited to learn more about you, both as an artist, and as a person.
Is your stage name Amanda Stone your given name, or did you choose it for your career? How does it represent you as an artist?
Yes. Amanda Stone is a stage name. It’s a bit more palatable than my previous stage name Baby Brains, haha. That was more of a punk/garage-pop project, and a name very specific to the era and sound. I wanted a career stage name that gave me latitude to create anything, like Elvis Costello or David Bowie for example.
We read: “What does it mean to overdose on love? We can all relate to the overwhelming nature of love and its addictive qualities.” How much can you tell us about this? Can you share your firsthand experience of how this feeling of overdosing on love has played out in your life? Was it a one-time thing, or has it happened on multiple occasions?
Writing songs where the listener might go, “wait… what does this actually mean?” is one of my favorite things. I love contradictions. You could argue that I hide beneath them, or argue that it’s poetry? I don’t know, but taking something so dark that is overdosing, and relating it to the most beautiful thing in my life was a fun challenge. It all happened very naturally though, just like falling in love. Not to be hurtful to anyone from my past, but I was sick in an actual drug addiction for many years of my young life, and the relationships that came and went during that time were doomed… and also sick. I think I was looking for safety, thinking that the only way to feel safe was with a man. I’ve been out of that hole for some years now, gotten healthy, done some growing up, and truly fallen in love for the first time. No fog. No falseness. She took me by surprise and we’ve been together almost four years now! My friends and family ask me about my sexuality, and I often don’t know what to say… being in the process of unlearning patriarchal conditioning has been a wild ride. Am I lesbian? Am I bi? Am I pan? Fuck it, who cares. I’m in love and nothing else matters.
"Overdose" is an explosive track right from the start, and it’s incredibly exciting. You open with the bold lyrics, "I’m so fucking happy I could scream." Can you tell us why you chose this musical approach to deliver the message of your song?
Honestly, it was the first thing that popped into my head. It was right and I didn’t question it. That line immediately sets the tone, and does that “wait… what?” thing I mentioned earlier. My (genius) producer Gergory Lattimer and I worked on the beat and baseline first. It called for attitude and grit. I’ve always loved Lou Reed’s half spoken-word lyrical delivery, and I wanted to channel him.
Sound and vision of "Overdose"? What was it like working with someone who has collaborated with artists like Albert Hammond Jr. and The Strokes?
Speak of the devil and he shall appear! I feel incredibly lucky to know and work with Lattimer. Though decades and genders apart, we’ve had similar hardships and we understand each other. We’re also both obsessed with hooks. We want the earworm! We want it to penetrate your brain and build a little nest. We want it to be dumb! Dumb being the highest compliment something could receive. We’ve had so much fun making this misfit electronic pop music. Everyone should be kicking his door down. I wish I could gatekeep him sometimes, but I want all my friends to succeed. No bias, but we make a stellar team haha. Trust is everything.
What was your reaction the first time you heard the final mix of "Overdose"? Did it match the vision you had when you started the project?
Lattimer produced and mixed this one, so I got to be present through all the stages. Had to scoop my melted face off the floor after each session. His studio is very minimalist and intimate (my favorite kind of workspace), but with incredible speakers. I don’t know if a lot of producers would like mixing or tinkering around in front of the artist, but I know how to sit back and let him do his thing. All comes down to that trust piece I mentioned. It could sound absolutely insane for a minute, a part of the process, but it’s magic when it all comes together. Our taste and sensibilities align, so I know whatever he churns up is going to be the coolest. I don’t like most studios, or working with a lot of people, so it’s a great fit.
Your Instagram shows you in various settings—performing in Brooklyn, riding a train (NYC?), and at multiple Nashville events. What city do you call home? Are you from Nashville? If not, can you tell us about your upbringing and how it has shaped your career?
I’ve called Nashville home for 6 years now. I’m originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, then ran around Philly for a while. Playing shows in basements and derelict art spaces is how I came up. I miss house shows. I miss those Northeastern basements with the high ceilings. If you played my former self this Amanda Stone music, I wouldn’t believe it was me! Haha. There are some old friends and bandmates who probably think, “what is this pop shit?”, but I realized recently that I’ve loved pop music all along! The Ramones wanted to be The Ronettes! I’ve always loved a hook, even if it’s hidden amongst blown-out guitars. Punk used to be about pushing boundaries, and now it’s classified by a specific sound and style… it’s not very punk to make the same thing with the same tools over and over and over again…
OK, we know this isn't super important, but we have to ask—where did you get that sweet '90s red Benz for the photo shoot? And why did you choose it? (Also, is the license plate on the car real?)
This is my “hot girl” car! I was going to drive my old car ‘til the wheels fell off, but a lady ran a stop sign and that was that. I took the insurance money and made a choice to make my fantasy a reality, and bought my dream car. Her name is Iris after my great-grandmother, and she’s a candy-red 1991 Mercedes 190e. Picked her up off Facebook Marketplace! That would be WILD if the actual license plate was “OVERDOSE.” A friend did that clever edit for the cover art.
As a queer pop artist, how has your identity influenced the music you create and the messages you want to send through your work?
We’re so fortunate to live in a time where lyrics can be openly queer. It’s very new to have this freedom and it’s so exciting, especially in pop. I hope we start seeing this more in other music genres. Full transparency, I am a little nervous to start sharing my music that is openly queer… Not that I’m trying to hide anything, it’s just that my conditioning to be a sexual object for the male gaze runs so deep. It’s that safety thing again… that little voice in my head saying being desirable to men leads to safety. That it’s the measure of all your worth. That shit is hard to root out. Releasing this honest music will be a big step for me, and I think an empowering one.
What emotion or experience tends to spark your creativity the most when starting a new project—whether it's sadness, worry, happiness, or something else?
It's fun to think cinematically now. That gray area between persona and identity. What’s the story? What picture does it paint? I used to only write about pain, while experiencing pain, but now it’s hard to create anything when I’m in a low period. I don’t write well when I’m in survival mode, so I have to be generally happy or feel secure to be creative these days.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Where do you feel most inspired to create, and how do you approach building the foundation for your songs?
My favorite thing to do is start in on a project first thing after waking up. I’m lucky enough to have a music room at home. It’s also the guest bedroom haha, so it feels very “right” to me. I prefer solitude, but have been training myself to get more comfortable writing while there are people in the house. That’s been a hard one. If I’m aware of being perceived by others it takes me out of it… then it feels like I’m performing, or I’ll try to be like a quiet little mouse. That way no one can hear me hit a thousand wrong notes! I’m working on it.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any new directions or genres you're excited to explore?
Overdose is only the beginning. I have a music video, and more singles on deck all leading up to my debut album!! I don’t have a release date yet, but it’s coming. I’m so excited to release a body of work, and I feel myself coming more into my own with each song. The future is unknowable, but my immediate goal is to grow my audience and connect with more listeners. I’m fully independent, but manifesting the right team (it has to be riiight). Every time I log on to social media the desperation is palpable. Some people are desperate for fame, clout, free shit, or who knows what… all I really want is freedom. I want to create and release what I want. Having the freedom to put the art first and have FUN with it! I wish everyone would just stop and examine their motives. Let’s get real with ourselves here, because we're making the simulation lame. When I examine mine, the “why” of it all, it’s the true, sometimes very quiet voice in my head saying, “this is what you’re supposed to be doing.”
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Amanda Stone’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Amanda Stone on Spotify & YouTube.
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