A Beautiful Thing

Amy Macdonald wasn't even born when Bryan Adams launched his career, but the Scottish singer-songwriter will be the rocker's special guest on this month's Australian tour. “When my sister and I were younger, my mum would always play Bryan Adams, so I'm definitely a fan,” the down-to-earth Macdonald enthuses. “It's so incredibly exciting for me to open up for such an amazing artist.”

Macdonald is partial to '80s power rock, having covered Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark. However, it was an obsession with the Brit-pop Travis that prompted her to master (Dad's) guitar. The teen was soon gigging around Glasgow's traps. Macdonald's big break came when she responded to an ad in NME. Paolo Nutini songwriter Pete Wilkinson sought singers for a fledgling production company. Macdonald, possessing a beautiful lilting voice, composed her own material, the quality of which staggered him. He'd assume the role of mentor and manager, securing her a record deal. The UK – and Europe – was captivated by the grand Gaelic guitar pop of 2007's debut, This Is The Life, especially the title-track. The album hit number one in the UK months after its release. Macdonald made a fan of Paul Weller, with whom she toured. The Modfather allowed the disbelieving young star to use his Surrey studio as she prepared 2010's A Curious Thing – and he played guitar on it. “It's always really amazing when you meet people like that who you have looked up to and then they're just so nice and so easy to chat to.”

Last year Macdonald returned with the assured, if reflective, Life In A Beautiful Light. “I've got a lot more experience,” she ponders of her development. “When I started, I was a teenager and I didn't have a clue what I was doing (laughs). I think just with three albums, and it being five years now, I feel more comfortable with who I am and with my music and what I do. So, although I don't think there's any drastic change from the sound that I had at the beginning, I think that I definitely have matured a bit with my music. I feel like there's more to write about now.” Macdonald continues to work closely with Wilkinson, her producer. “Pete is probably one of my best friends,” she says. Importantly, they have a musical affinity. “It just feels a perfect match.” Following A Curious Thing and years of solid touring, Macdonald took a break, hanging out with family and old friends at home. “It was lovely,” she says. 

In later years guitar pop has been marginalised by EDM and urban. Macdonald now finds herself repping a new alternative – rock. “I think that it definitely feels like there's a lot less guitar music,” she says. “For someone like me, it's more difficult now because the radio want to play all their electronic stuff, whatever's hip, and it's harder to get guitar music played. But there's always a place for that, and there's always bands out there doing guitar music – and that's like me. I wouldn't ever want to change who I am or what kind of music I do just to try to fit in. Hopefully, one day it'll turn 'round again and it'll be back to all the similar styles to me that aren't on the radio a lot.”

Adams has established a successful sideline as a photographer. Macdonald, too, has a serious hobby. “I absolutely love cars!” she confesses. Macdonald fancies obtaining a racing licence. “It's completely different from the world of music,” she laughs, “but it would be quite exciting at the same time.”

Amy Macdonald will be playing the following dates:

Thursday 18 April - WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong NSW
Friday 19 April - Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 20 April - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
Wednesday 24 April - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide SA
Friday 26 April - Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle NSW
Saturday 27 April - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane QLD