UK Soul music is witnessing a resurgence, thanks to powerful voices like Amethyst, who blend passion, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the genre’s roots.

As an artist who draws from a wide array of influences, from the classical and soca music of her upbringing to modern icons like Jazmine Sullivan and Beyoncé, Amethyst is on a mission to elevate UK Soul to new heights.

In this conversation, we explore her journey as a soulful storyteller, her unflinching commentary on societal issues, and her growth as both a musician and an advocate for change. Join us as Amethyst discusses her creative process, her thoughts on the future of UK Soul, and the personal experiences that shape her powerful music.

Nicolle: Amethyst, you're a strong advocate for UK Soul music. What drew you to this genre and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?

Amethyst: Soul music for me was the first genre I really connected to and made me actually want to take this music thing seriously. Alicia Keys and Beyoncé were strong favourites of mine, whose CDs I used to rinse.

It was during secondary school when I started to hear the likes of Gnarls Barkley and Lianne La Havas that started my journey into the world of soul. I think UK Soul has always been put on a bit of a back burner and not really taken seriously. We are only now starting to see UK R&B being put on the map, and I don’t think it will be long until soul artists become part of the mainstream. I mean we already have Elmiene and Sasha Keable killing it so I’m just super excited to know that there is an audience out there who wanna hear that kind of vibe.  

Nicolle: Your track "Boys" confronts male behaviour unapologetically. What inspired you to write this song, and what has the reaction been from listeners and peers in the industry?

Amethyst: So I wrote this track shortly after the murder of Sarah Everard and I was just so fed up with men not just taking advantage of women but using their power to mentally, verbally and physically abuse us. This song seems to have resonated with so many women and peers.

Hearing their stories and realising that a lot of us have been abused in some shape or form by men is just soul-destroying. What’s even sadder is that in these past few weeks, we have seen the murders of Rebecca Cheptegei and Kristina Joksimovic both brutally killed by their partners and I think this song sadly will serve as a reminder that men need to do better until something changes. My main goal though is for it to spark conversations between boys and men and get them to start realising their wrongs but also call each other out on their behaviour. 

Nicolle. You’ve gained support from prominent figures like Jamz Supernova and Jamie Cullum, as well as platforms like COLORS and GUAP. How has this recognition impacted your career and creative journey?

Amethyst: I think for me it has just given me continued belief in myself that what I’m doing is connecting with people out there and it is worthy of acclaim. Sometimes it’s hard to remind yourself of that but these moments have pushed me to keep going and I think has started to make others around me maybe take me a bit more seriously.

Nicolle: You’ve been playing music since a very young age, learning a variety of instruments. How did your early experiences with classical and soca music shape the artist you are today?

Amethyst: In a way growing up around two quite different genres classical and soca has made me a lover of everything. I don’t think there are many genres that I’m against listening to, but it’s also allowed me to bend and shape my own sound because I have these different inspirations. Hopefully, you’ll be able to hear especially on this project the classical influences with the strings on tracks like Interlude and Home. 

Nicolle: Studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music and later at Tileyard clearly influenced your artistry. How did your formal education contribute to your development as a singer, songwriter, and producer?

Amethyst: As a singer, it helped build my confidence. Having to perform and get up on stage every week in front of your peers and teachers was not easy as I wasn’t super used to that before uni. But it gave me an understanding of playing as a band and not being so selfish but also vocally I learnt so much about my voice and understood more about training your voice to become the singer I wanted to be.

Also getting to be in an environment where we were collaborating all the time had such an impact on me as a producer and especially a songwriter.

Uni was where I properly wrote my first ever song, and at Tileyard I wrote “Can’t Let Go” my first song to be released. We were set briefs as well so learning how to write for other artists and genres has helped me understand what it takes to write a great song.

Nicolle: You’ve mentioned influences ranging from Ella Fitzgerald and Donny Hathaway to Beyoncé and Jazmine Sullivan. How do you balance these diverse influences to create a sound that’s distinctly your own?

Amethyst: Having such big influences makes it incredibly hard to create music up to their level and standard. But I think it’s taking what I love from them, for example, Jazmine’s incredible vocal ability, Beyonce’s catchy hooks and Donny’s way of speaking on issues that matter and creating a balance of all of that.

A big thing for me that I try and make part of my unique sound is blending that old-school soul live instrumentation with maybe more R&B production. However I think the distinct factor that’s always going to make it feel different is my voice, I love that I have a mix of a more soulful/jazzy tone, so I feel like all these things together help to create my unique sound. 

Nicolle: With performances at venues like Ronnie Scott’s and The Great Escape Festival, as well as sold-out headline shows, what can your fans expect from your upcoming performances and releases?

Amethyst: High energy, good vibes, songs for almost every mood. Bigger and better arrangements of the tracks on the project and some gorgeous BV’s. I always make sure to throw a cheeky cover in there as well, so people can expect the unexpected. 

Nicolle: You were mentored by Joy Crookes and received backing from initiatives like the MOBO Help Musicians fund. How have these experiences shaped your growth as an artist, and what advice would you give to emerging female artists in the industry?

Amethyst: They have taught me so much. Working with MOBO, I got to have sessions with industry professionals who taught me how to market myself and understand your brand which is something I didn’t have much clarity on beforehand and then working with Joy was honestly something else.

She taught me so much about production but also not to care what those around you think. I think having someone like her who had already been so successful but was so down to earth and just telling me that I was on the right path and to keep going does give you that little boost to keep on going.  I think the best advice I have for female artists is to be loud. Speak up, and don’t be afraid to say what you feel, what you want, because we only get one chance to do this and those who don’t want to be a part of your journey or make you feel small in this industry will be the ones who come running back. Trust me.

Nicolle: You've collaborated with various musicians throughout your career. How do these collaborations influence your creative process, and what do you look for in a collaborator?

Amethyst: I think collaborating is one of the best things you can do as an artist. It allows you to see things and hear things in a way you didn’t even know was possible. Some of my favourite lines or melodies in my tracks are ideas that the other producer or songwriter had and without them, it wouldn’t be the song it is. The best part for me is just having someone else who genuinely believes in your sound and is excited about your music because then I feel most safe and relaxed in a session to create. 

Amethyst’s voice is more than just a sound—it's a call to action. With her deep connection to UK Soul and her ability to channel personal and societal challenges into her music, she is amplifying stories that need to be heard. Whether performing at iconic venues or working with other influential artists, Amethyst continues to push the boundaries of her artistry while empowering women and speaking truth to power. As she looks ahead to new releases and live performances, it’s clear that her journey is only just beginning, and UK Soul has found a fearless champion in her.

You can listen to her EP Daydreaming here

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Nicolle Knapova is a 30-year-old young adult writer and freelance blogger from the Czech Republic. She has a master’s degree in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University. She loves to write about music, books and TV shows. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.