Glencairn singer and songwriter Amy Tjasink says fans can expect a new single from her after lockdown.
It will feature a surprise artist and was written by some of the world’s top session writers from Canada and Norway, says Amy.
The single, she says, has been in the works since January and was written in Sweden in September last year when she represented South Africa at the annual Highcoast International Songwriting Camp.
But lockdown has not been easy for the 27-year-old former The Voice SA contestant.
She has had to cancel all her shows and postpone her wedding to fiance Andrew Hay.
The wedding, which they have spent two years planning, was due to have been held over the Easter weekend.
“It was heart-breaking, but we have managed to look ahead with smiles and just be grateful that we are able to postpone it.”
The couple decided to spend lockdown with their bulldog, Nancy, on Andrew’s parents’ farm in St Francis.
“We packed our car with our belongings, all my music equipment and took an eight-hour drive in the middle of the night from Cape Town to St Francis.”
They decided to use the time to wind down, get fit and let Nancy experience nature.
They exercise every morning, pick home-grown vegetables from the garden to make their own meals and enjoy the slow life. They have even spent one night under the stars.
“We took our mattress and blankets and watched the stars and realised how small we are compared to the bigger scheme of things and how lucky we are to be here.”
Afternoon naps have also become a daily occurrence and there is plenty of time for song writing and planning ahead.
While Andrew can work from home, Amy’s business, which she has been running for the past 10 years, has taken a knock.
“Lockdown means I can’t perform, and this is my main bread and butter, so during this time I won’t earn a cent. It’s sad to see just how fragile the industry can be and how with the wave of a hand, businesses shut down.”
She released her latest single, Spiderman Kiss, last month but says the timing was not good.
“Radio stations have minimal staff, and my song is not aired that often.”
However, now is not a time for giving up, she says.
Being a musician, she says, is all about the hustle, and for the first time in 10 years she has been able to sit down, and enjoy the fresh air.
“So in this way, the lockdown has been great as it has forced me to take the break that I needed. It has also inspired me to look after my creative side and focus on writing music.”
And if the borders open, Amy plans to release a further two singles this year, followed by an international songwriting tour to Europe and the USA.
*You can stream Spiderman Kiss on Spotify and Apple Music or follow her on Facebook at Amy Tjasink Music.
