What’s better than a new artist? A new artist with an old soul. Canada’s Amanda Zelina, under the moniker The Coppertone, has captured my attention along with the attention of many others with her oddly catchy form of Blues Rock. In these times of mainstream ‘Black Keys singles (off of their sixth record, being hailed as their first, consequently) it’s nice to hear a female take on the resurgent genre. But I’m sure I don’t need to assure you that Amanda’s material is no less gritty and intricate than that of her Bluesy male peers. In fact, it’s a little darker than what I’ve heard of contemporary blues/rock and a lot heavier than you’d probably expect. You NEED to get to know The Coppertone. I’m here to help!
How are you feeling right now? This is a real question. No one believes me.
I am feeling very inspired and grateful at the moment. I just woke up in Oakland CA… I’m here helping my little sister move into school ( CCA) for the week than I’m back home. Everyone here is so incredibly nice and lovely that waking up early in the morning is a pleasure… Even with a very sore throat from the hotel A/C.
More importantly… how are YOU feeling right now?
You’re hitting the road for a couple weeks next month. What do you love about being on the road?
I love the feeling of knowing that is exactly where I want to be in that moment. Rarely do I ever feel that way with the exception to tour. There is a feeling of calm when I know that I am playing every night, doing what I love. It’s like this validation that I am following my heart and honey there is no better feeling.
Do you feel more comfortable on stage, in front of a crowd or in the studio working on music?
I don’t know if comfortable is a word to describe either. Hmmm, that’s a tricky one. I feel comfort in two different ways for each. While performing I am rarely comfortable until the first few songs are over when the nerves disappear and I am left just having fun. While recording I am always comfortable but that also depends highly on who I am working with and where. I am ultra sensitive to my surroundings. I like finding what works and sticking to it. While that motto works for so long sometimes for freshness sake I like to introduce new faces, new places to push my comfort zone a tad and force myself to adapt. Doing so changes the music and sound a little. I like to be comfortable but not complacent.
“I Know The Dead” – The Coppertone
Did you grow up listening to Blues?
Yes. My biggest ones would be John Lee Hooker and Junior Kimbrough. Hands down.
I first heard you on Dallas Green’s song “At The Bird’s Foot” and shortly after saw some footage of you guys singing together. I’m a huge fan of his as well. How did you guys end up working together?
We have been friends for a while. Our good friend and producer Dan Achen passed away a little over a year ago. Dal called me up one day to talk about him and through that conversation we re connected with music. I had asked him if he would be involved in a video I was about to shoot as a tribute to Dan ( We covered a Mississippi Fred Mcdowell song called: When I lay my burden down) He said yes promptly and than came back with , ” I have this song I just wrote about the oil spill, I’m wondering if you maybe want to sing it with me?” I than promptly said yes.
“At The Bird’s Foot” – City and Colour ft Amanda Zelina
In your opinion, is your music dark? If so, do you feel limited thematically by the Blues/Blues-Rock genre?
Yes. For whatever reason my music has always taken a darker route. Even if I write a happy song there is something sombre in it. As for feeling limited thematically by blues/ blues rock… absolutely not. I write from my experience, my life, my dreams… Just because I write in a genre that’s name eludes to sadness does not mean it is limiting. “blues” to me means honesty and soul. You can have just as much honesty and soul in happiness as you can sadness, in celebration as much as in mourning. So long as whatever theme or topic a song comes out being if I play and sing it with as much sincerity and feel as I can than that’s the blues; to me anyway.
Do you have other artistic outlets aside from music?
I love to dance. I use to take a lot of dance classes as a kid. Now I more so just love to dance whenever I so feel inclined. You can pretty much guarantee if I am out and around music be it live or out of a juke box … I am shaking my hips. It’s involuntary haha.
I haven’t for a while but I love to paint.
I love writing….
Do you feel you’ve struggled more as a female musician than your male peers? (I know this question is asked a lot but I also feel this answer is different depending on the genre the artist is pursuing a career in.)
No. In fact due to my “genre” I feel I have an upper hand being a female. There are not many females (that I am aware of ) who are doing what I am doing, how I am doing it. My main struggle is with myself not with males. Being a female who is white and wants to play the blues I felt an extreme amount of pressure and fear. I grew up with it (blues) and respect it beyond comprehension. It is not like I woke up one day and decided it would be “fun” to play the blues, when I started writing songs that’s what came out.
Struck with this conscious predicament I made a vow to myself that I would not play “blues music” if I could not be one hundred percent sincere with it. If I felt any bit like I was forcing something I would put the guitar down and find a day job. I was not about to be another one of those “technical” “blues” players. In my opinion 90 percent of all contemporary blues players while I was growing up were white guys in khakis playing shitty renditions of ” The thrill is gone” and Stevie Ray Vaughns ” Pride and Joy” I was not about to attempt a career doing that shit. Fuck no.
I also wanted to be one of the boys… in other words an equal. I wanted to be respected for my guitar playing and songwriting…not just my voice and sure as hell not my “look”. If sex sells I wanted to sell it through my playing not my pretty. The only uphill battle I have had in the process of achieving that was working tirelessly to satisfy my own criteria of what a “good and respected” guitar player/songwriter is. I will forever be striving towards that.
I feel like “struggle” has such a negative connotation to it. I don’t think any pursuit of happiness through which you are blessed to follow your passion entails any sort of struggle you aren’t willing to accept with open arms. No goal reached would ever be satisfied without struggle therefore to me it is a necessity.
“You’re The One” – The Coppertone
You’ve had a productive year: You released an LP (Hidden Dreams) an EP (Hymns For The Hollow), you’re working on a new EP already and preparing to hit the road next month! What are your goals for next year? I’m not trying to pressure you but a fantastic answer could include, “To tour the states and play in Michigan where Janay can finally see me play live.”
Hahaha well first off and most importantly: “To tour the states and play in Michigan where Janay can finally see me play live.”
I am planning on taking a trip down south this winter to the delta… deep Mississippi. I want to soak up and visit the roots of the blues I love the most, grew up on and feel an unexplainable connection to. I want that first hand tactile education. I’ve watched countless documentaries, read innumerable books… so this will be a treat.
I am going to write a full length record during that time and hope to work with some of my idols on it.
I am going to tour the states… (crossing my fingers) play SXSW and a bunch more festivals.
Basically, write, record, travel, and play to as many people who will listen.
| 2011-09-15 | Toronto | The Horseshoe Tavern |
| 2011-09-16 | Sault St. Marie | Lop Lops |
| 2011-09-17 | Thunder Bay | Black Pirates Club |
| 2011-09-20 | Calgary | The Palomino |
| 2011-09-21 | Kamloops | Pogue Mahone Pub |
| 2011-09-22 | Vancouver | The Railway Club |
| 2011-09-23 | Victoria | Metro Theater |
| 2011-09-25 | Calgary | Republik |
| 2011-09-26 | Edmonton | The Starlite Room |
| 2011-09-27 | Lethbridge | Tongue n Groove |
| 2011-09-28 | Saskatoon | Amigos |
| 2011-09-29 | Winnipeg | The Lo Pub |
| 2011-10-01 | Thunder Bay | Black Pirates Pub |
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