Amanda Thomas: Press

EAST Ryde singer songwriter Amanda Thomas will be releasing her debut album on November 18, though there was a time when she thought she would never get it finished.

Midnight Sun has been three years in the making for this talented mum of two, but she persisted with it, mixing pop, southern-folk, country and rock to make an original compilation.

“My two-and-a-half year-old son, Ben, he’s the one who stopped me from finishing it,” she laughs.

“When I started recording I was in the very early stages of pregnancy, and still recording when I was very pregnant,” Ms Thomas said.

“But once you are a mum and have kids it can be difficult to get the energy, and I had to make a decision about whether or not to finish the album. Now, I’m so glad I did it.”

As a child Ms Thomas performed with the Johnny Young Talent school, but after finishing high school she focused on a career in interior design and worked in offices.

“I then started earning a bit of money and thought I would get some singing lessons, so I did and then realised how much I loved it.”

She also spent some time at the College of Country Music in Tamworth, and although she enjoyed it she decided pure country wasn’t really her thing, choosing to engage a variety of styles instead.

She also received a guitar from her husband as a wedding present, which she eventually began to learn to play, and now Ms Thomas said she has found her musical style.

“I feel like I’ve found my place now,” she said.

“I must say I’m very pleased at this stage of my life and so proud of myself for doing this.”

Ms Thomas also has a seven-year-old daughter Erin, who seems to have picked up her mum’s musical talents, as she enjoys singing and has just starting learning violin.

Ms Thomas said the mothers at her daughter’s school have helped motivate her for her album launch.

“I’ve had a lot of support from mums at school which is why I wanted to hold the launch in Rozelle, close to my own community, so they can come along and see what I do,” she said.

Midnight Sun will be launched on Wednesday, November 18, 7.30pm at The Bridge Hotel in Rozelle.