Amy Macdonald

In the organizer's words:

Amy Macdonald has achieved impressive success in her 17-year career: six million albums sold, five top five studio albums, two of which reached number one in the UK, and over a billion streams. Her 2007 hit "This Is The Life" reached number one in ten countries. In 2020, she released her best album to date, "The Human Demands", produced by Jim Abbiss, known for his work with the Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian.

"The Human Demands" combines Macdonald's alternative roots with a new, Bruce Springsteen-like grandeur and deals with themes such as love, burning bridges, depression and growing up. Macdonald recalls how she was inspired to become a musician herself at a Travis concert in 2000. Her debut album "This Is The Life" from 2007 made her a role model for teenagers as she refused to sell herself on her image or sexuality.

After three albums, however, she felt creatively drained and decided to change direction. She got married, changed management and label and worked with Jim Abbiss again. The production of the new album was interrupted by the pandemic, which made working on it a unique experience.

The eponymous song "The Human Demands" addresses the challenges of life and conveys that you are not alone. Other songs such as "Strong Again" and "Bridges" deal with similar themes. "The Hudson" was inspired by the stories her father told about New York, and "Fire" is a tribute to her husband.

Macdonald reflects on her career and dealing with fame. She emphasizes that she is now making music she loves again and that the pandemic has made her feel like she has a fresh start.