Amanda Holley, the brilliant songstress behind the mesmerizing track “Ride or Die,” takes us on a captivating journey behind the scenes of her music video and offers insights into her upcoming EP, “The HolleyGraphic.” In this exclusive interview, Amanda shares her experiences, inspirations, and unwavering commitment to her musical mission.
“Ride or Die” is more than just a song; it’s an immersive experience that delves into the depths of love, sacrifice, and commitment. Amanda opens up about the creative process behind the song’s official music video, which she co-directed alongside Mikey Piliero.
The video features compelling choreography by Jesse Le, Brian Oliver, and Patrick Roseborough, amplifying the song’s rhythm and lyrics from a male perspective. Amanda appreciates their contribution to conveying the song’s message through strong, intricate movements that resonate with the lyrics.
Collaborating with Mikey Piliero, a talented director and cinematographer, was a rewarding experience for Amanda. She praises Mikey for his sense of truth behind the lens and his adventurous spirit, which allowed her to express herself fully as an artist. The video’s authenticity shines through as it was shot using all-natural lighting from the California sunshine, with no special effects involved.
The “Ride or Die” music video features visually striking locations, from snow-capped mountains to cityscapes and highways. These settings hold deep significance in relation to the song’s message.
The desert location, which Apple Maps couldn’t even reach, became the backdrop for Amanda’s main performance and beauty shots. A surprising snowfall in Southern California added an unexpected layer of beauty to the shoot, resulting in a stunning combination of snow-capped mountaintops, cars, Joshua Trees, and green hills.
The DTLA rooftop symbolizes a new beginning, with Amanda on the run from a painful past, ready to open up to a new chapter. This location mirrors the transformative power of music in Amanda’s life, helping her transcend circumstances and move forward.
Amanda’s excitement was palpable when shooting the getaway scenes on the Pacific Coast Highway. This location holds personal significance for her, as she has found healing and had transformative moments by the ocean. Despite the rainy weather, the scenes took on a unique depth and beauty, emphasizing the theme of taking a leap of faith in love, even on cloudy days.
As Amanda releases each single from “The HolleyGraphic,” listeners will have the opportunity to explore different dimensions of her life and experiences, creating a holistic and immersive musical journey.
Feel free to read our recent conversation regarding her latest music video and other topics in the section below.
1. Could you share some insights about the creative process behind the “Ride or Die” official music video? How did you develop the concept and choreography, and what was it like co-directing the video with Mikey Piliero?
I wanted this video to hit home for all the lovers and daydreamers out there in the world who have gone through so much – yet still believe in true love in today’s crazy world. For the “Ride Or Die” official video, I had to put all my trust into the intense feelings and visions I was having while co-writing and performing the song in the vocal booth and let those emotions inform me on what the visuals and concept should be. I always see music in pictures when I sing, play, write, and record . . . so when dreaming up the shots, I really wanted the song to guide us. I chose to let the story find me in that way.
This deep desire and dream of finding and surrendering to a love that we can be “Ride Or Die” for was something I really wanted to carry to my viewers. At the same time, the record is rhythmic, urban, and gritty – so I felt strongly that bringing in the guys (Jesse Le, Brian Oliver, and Patrick Roseborough) with Jesse’s choreography would only help to amplify the beat and the lyrics, but from the male perspective going out to the viewers on the other side of the screen. I’m so thankful that they helped carry the message home with such strong movements that are intricately connected to the lines of the song!
It’s so amazing working on it all with Mikey Piliero because he has such a sense of truth behind the lens and is such a talented director and cinematographer. He’s also amazing when it comes to logistics and attention to detail and he’s really adventurous. This combination allows me to express myself as an artist on every level. There were no special effects and we used all natural lighting from the California sunshine so we could keep the feeling close to the soul. . . So everything you see on screen is 300% authentic. It was great talking it all out and vibing it with Mikey because he was right there with me in wanting to create the feeling and the rush of being “on the run” with the person you love.
Risking it all and choosing to believe in true love and be “Ride Or Die” for that person – even more when the odds have been stacked against you – requires us to leave a painful past behind, have the courage to go to uncharted territory, and hop in that fast car with the one you choose to ride with through “all the curves and ups and downs”.
2. The “Ride or Die” music video features a variety of visually striking locations, from snow-capped mountains to cityscapes and highways. Can you tell us about the significance of these settings and how they tie into the song’s message?
For me, nothing resonates with love and soul more than the Earth and music does . . . and when it comes to love and surrendering to love – its surreal, it’s courageous, and it’s an adventure. Because of this, we ended up choosing 3 all-natural locations along with a vintage recording studio (Strawhorse Studios)!
We literally went off-grid into the desert where Apple Maps doesn’t even reach – for my main performance and beauty shots. When we decided to shoot at that location, we had no idea that Southern Cali was about to be blessed with a record snowfall – the most recorded in 30 years. When we made it through the boulders and the off grid landscape to our location, I was on cloud 9.
The snow-capped mountaintops combined with the cars, the Joshua Trees, and hills of green were above and beyond anything we could have imagined and helped create that surreal dreamscape. Yes, it was very cold and the journey through those boulders somewhat dangerous getting to the money shots, but the end result was so worth it!
The DTLA rooftop was all about the moments with my burner phone, on the run from a painful and dangerous past, opening up the lineup to a new chapter. Looking back on it all, in a way, the dance and vocal performance at this location in the video reflects what music has always done for me my entire life – helped me transcend circumstances and carried me into my future, giving me the strength to hop into the “getaway car” even when the destination is unknown.
For our getaway shots and driving scene with our male lead Tyree, I was extremely excited when we all agreed to shoot those on the Pacific Coast Highway! I’ve found so much healing on those beaches and on the tops of the cliffs, in those oceans, and have had so many transformative moments in my new life and career at that location!
It ended up raining that entire day and I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to make it happen after organizing so many components from the camera, to Tyree to Tony’s beautiful Cadillac, but everyone was down to get it done and the fog and the storm worked in our favor in a way – it gave the scene depth and brought more life to the moment – even my hair getting wilder from the weather added a truer element to the look of it all! I feel like the spray of rain and fog that day really emphasized how we can take a leap of faith in love even on the cloudy days.
3. “Ride or Die” is part of your upcoming EP, “The HolleyGraphic.” Could you provide more details about the themes and musical direction of this EP? What can listeners expect in terms of sound and emotions?
For now, all I can say is that each record on my project has a life of its own – both sonically and emotionally and every single one of these songs shook me up in a different way, got me through some of the craziest times, and unlocked something deep in my soul. I’m so thankful to be able to share them with you!
4. Collaboration seems to be an essential aspect of your musical journey. Can you shed light on how working with a diverse range of producers, co-writers, and performers contributes to the depth and uniqueness of your music?
I feel so blessed every day to be surrounded by and able to collaborate with my musical family. From the up-and-comers to the Billboard charting, Grammy and Oscar-winning, I love working with other composers and artists so much because it brings things out of me that I may not have discovered on my own and challenges me to deliver not just for myself, but for my team and the force we have created that is the song.
5. You’ve mentioned that your music often serendipitously finds you. How do you balance maintaining your style while also being open to the creative input of collaborators?
For me, I feel it’s so important as an artist to have a one-on-one connection and direct relationship with frequencies and tones, my emotions, and my soul because then I stay rooted in my sound the way that the Creator meant for me to be as an instrument for music in this world.
I’m kind of a purist in that way. I sing alone in my room or my studio, write in my notebooks, play my piano and violin, and let the music pour through me and see where it takes me both musically and spiritually. That way, when I get in the room with others, I can bring the truest and greatest parts of myself to the song and soak up all the insights, knowledge, beautiful ideas, and sounds around me and let it take on a life of its own.
6. “Ride or Die” delivers a powerful message about standing for love through life’s ups and downs. Could you share a personal experience or insight that resonates with the song’s theme of unwavering commitment?
I truly believe that love is the strongest force in the Universe and in this crazy era we are in, we need MORE unconditional “Ride Or Die” love than ever in history. So much of what I’ve been through since birth and through these first two decades I’ve been on this planet, like so many of us, should have broken me and made me stop believing or having faith in life and love at all . . . Somehow, through everything, I refuse to give up or give in . . . or let brutal circumstances change who I am at my core… I might kick, scream, cry, and fight with myself on the daily, yet always – something inside me just feels even deeper that true “Ride Or Die” love does exist and I owe it to myself to believe in that dream and live for it. Through it all, I’m “Ride Or Die” through the music to and for each and every soul I can touch!
7. Your EP, “The HolleyGraphic,” is a collection of original songs. Could you elaborate on the journey you’re taking listeners on with this EP? Are there any specific tracks or lyrics that hold special significance for you?
It’s so hard for me to hold back about what is coming . . . because some of the songs that brought out the highest and most powerful feelings in me are coming later in the release cycle. We are going to continue dropping a single one at a time . . . Some are more street, trap, some upbeat, euphoric, and anthemic pop, others full blown R&B, whether the record is lighter or darker / heavier . . . each song has an element of soul – because a soul singer is who I am . . . and each of these upcoming releases was a stepping stone on my own personal journey through this holographic universe we are living and loving and growing in.
By the time we get to the end of the EP, just know there’s an urban ballad that took everything out of me when we created it . . . so heavy that it shook me and rocked my soul and on the other end of a spectrum, a song I recorded that is the purest form of R&B.
Without giving away too much, Right now, we are still at the beginning of the EP which starts just like my life did – in the streets. With each song, I recovered some fragment of my soul… transcended a different internal and external battle – bouncing between dimensions in a way. It means everything that I get to reveal each one as a stand-alone chapter and let it live. As we drop these upcoming singles, we are stepping into different.
8. The entertainment industry can be challenging. What motivates you to continue pursuing your passion despite obstacles and setbacks, and how do you maintain your authenticity in a competitive environment?
My experience from childhood both personally and in this business throughout my teens until now has been nothing but extreme in every direction! Extreme highs and lows, heartbreaks and abuses, miracles and moments of unimaginable bliss!
The motivation through every twist and turn on this “Ride Or Die” journey has and always will be the music itself and how it compels me to sing to the world.
Coming from a harsh and challenging background since day one this planet is what I feel has made my will strong enough to hold steadfast to what I was put here to be and to give. It may be a little selfish, but I don’t want my suffering to be in vain. I use everything I’ve been through as fuel to my internal fire and desire to be there for as many of my brothers and sisters as I can in this world and help be a part of a positive shift into a brighter future.
The minute I compromise my gift and my soul, then that means all the bad was for nothing. Holding tight to my mission and letting my music carry me on angel’s wings is the only choice I have that makes any sense for me!
9. Your music seamlessly blends genres like pop and R&B. How do you approach fusing different musical styles while still keeping a cohesive and distinct sound?
The one thing I have always been able to rely on, survive on, and believe in, has always been music and the song. I have so much trust in the process of making music.
Sometimes, the song wants more sweetness in it, sometimes it calls for grit. In fusing genres and tonalities as a vocalist, I feel that the best thing I can do as the instrument is to the music live. I love letting go of the process and allowing it to carry me where I need to be! It’s especially amazing when I have a great vocal producer in the room! That enables me to let go even more because I know I don’t have to be the “adult” in the room!
I’ve always been a singer – since before I could speak. . . so I think because of that, I can’t really get away from my “sound” – it’s always been really hard for me to blend in and sometimes I feel so exposed but again, I’m thankful for my gift and choose to honor it as best I can even when I’m scared . . . Mostly, if I ever feel myself thinking in the vocal booth, I stop, breathe, and immerse myself in the feeling to the best of my ability.
I think that’s probably why the live show has always been my favorite ever since I was a little girl. I get to surrender everything I am to the music and my audience and let it take over. It feels like I’m flying.
10. As an artist, what is your ultimate goal with your music? How do you envision your impact on your listeners and the industry?
Musically, I’ve always had this burning desire to be there for millions and billions making and sharing music with the world for now and forever! The live stage is my freest and happiest place in the world and If I could perform live for the next 300 years, I would.
In the industry, I have this massive desire to help make this environment a kinder and more uplifting place for artists from all backgrounds!
Maybe because of what my dad, my mom, my aunt, and my ancestors went through in this industry it just lights me up even more to be a part of making it sweeter for others like them and like me!
As for the world? My goal is to be and give music to as many people as I can reach. I’d love to be there for the others through music the way it has always been there for me! Let the Universe carry me to the listeners who need to hear my song the most!
The Hollywood Six 