To immediately listen to this month's Top Five Songs, please Click Here
Amanda Droste’s “Thank You” Named April “Best Song Of The
Month”
By Dale Kawashima
Amanda Droste, a promising, modern rock/pop singer/writer
based in New York, NY, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of The Month”
Contest for April, for her song “Thank You.” This song is included on her
three-song EP, Tide You Over, which was released in late 2004. In
addition, Droste has recently recorded new material, and she is preparing to
shop for a label deal with the help of new management.
Amanda Droste
“Thank You” is an aggressive, uptempo rock/pop cut, which is
reminiscent of both Alanis Morissette’s and Pat Benatar’s high-energy, rock
styles. The song features a strong, hooky chorus which is easy to remember. In
addition, the recording is a solid showcase for Droste’s dynamic, passionate
vocals. Droste produced this song, and it was engineered by Fred Guarino at
Tiki Studios in Glen Cove, Long Island.
Droste grew up in a small town in Michigan called Saranac
(which is near Grand Rapids). When she was 12, she started taking a serious
interest in music and performing. Droste developed both her singing and acting
skills, doing musical theater, and singing onstage at state fairs and karaoke
contests. Then in high school, she began writing songs, and she also learned to
play drums and percussion.
Following high school, Droste moved to New York City, where
she pursued both a music and acting career. However, she eventually decided to
focus on music and songwriting. “It was difficult managing what was two separate
careers - music and acting,” explained Droste. “I decided I wasn’t interested
in doing Broadway. And writing songs had become a great passion for me.” During
this period, Droste not only wrote the songs for her EP Tide You Over (including
“Thank You”), but she also sang demos and collaborated with hit Sony
writer/producer, Andre Deyo (who co-wrote the Jennifer Lopez hit, “Jenny On The
Block”).
Amanda Droste
Droste talked about her song, “Thank You.” “The song is
about looking back on a relationship, and realizing that breaking up with that
person is the best thing that could have happened, because it made me a
stronger person in the end,” she said. “I’m thanking [the ex-boyfriend] in the
song, saying ‘it’s a good thing that you dumped me because now I’m strong.’ It’s
a liberating, rocker tune.”
Currently, Droste has completed writing and producing seven
new songs (several with collaborator Bart Migal), and is about ready to shop
for a label deal. She has signed on with manager Lovell Ramsay of Lolex
Productions. Ramsay is producing a new album by Maxi Priest, and Droste is
collaborating with Priest on a song for this project. “It’s a very exciting
time,” said Droste. “I feel strongly about my new songs, which are more
cutting-edge, both musically and lyrically. I’ve put together a new press kit,
and we will be taking label meetings soon. Also, I’m putting a band together
and doing more shows.”