Meet Amalia Fleming of Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amalia Fleming

Hi Amalia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up on the doorstep to California’s Big Sur, and my decision to study songwriting at Belmont University in Nashville, took me to a very different place both musically and culturally, refining my craft and connecting me with the network I needed to succeed. I wrote my first song at age 9 and taught myself guitar shortly after. Beginning in my sophomore year of high school, I was hired to perform at a variety of restaurants, festivals, and venues. In my time at Belmont, I was presented invaluable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, receive song critique from Grammy award winning professors, and intern with two of the most influential companies for songwriters, The Nashville Songwriters Association and Sony Music Publishing. These experiences empowered me to pursue my career with an understanding of the business side, a confidence in my craft, and the relationships essential for transformative collaboration. One of the highlights of 2024 was the recognition I received from NSAI. My previous single, “Planting Seeds,” was named a Top 40 song by NSAI, and I was honored to be named “One to Watch” by them. In the months since graduation, I have been able to further immerse myself into Nashville’s music scene, not only as a student, but as a writer with a place in the music community. I schedule co-writes and studio sessions weekly with other songwriters around town, writing for my artist project, for other artists, and for film and tv. Performing at writers’ rounds is another integral part of the artist/songwriter career and I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing the stage with so many other incredibly talented writers, some of which have led to dynamic collaboration.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Most artists will attest that this isn’t an easy road, and even those who have had their moments in the spotlight continue to face similar struggles. The music industry now heavily relies on social media, which is extremely oversaturated, making it difficult for independent artists to break into the algorithm. Typically, for a label or publisher to take interest in you, they seek out those who’ve already built a fan base. This proves to them that you have the capability to grow an audience, meaning less risk for them, at which point they step in and invest in you and your career. What I’ve been currently struggling with is creating a large quantity of quality content and not letting the performance of the videos discourage me. When I graduated in May, I made the difficult decision not to take a 9-5 job in publishing. I went back and forth because I’d just received my degree and wanted the security of a full-time job. But I realized that if I was going to pursue my career as an artist I needed to commit fully, and do it now. For me, that meant working a restaurant job at night so that I could write and record with other professionals in the morning. To stay focused and motivated, I had to shift my mindset from “I’ll do this until I make it” to “I’ll wake up every day and do this because I love it.” That reminder keeps me going when I get caught up in counting streams and likes. This career is a lifestyle – a 24/7 grind fueled by inspiration, passion, and a desire to connect with people. If you don’t believe in the music you’re making, it will be harder for your audience to believe in it. We all face doubts and insecurities, but being vulnerable about these struggles is what makes us human to our listeners.
Belief in yourself and your art will take you a long way. I’m grateful to be creating authentic music that I love, and I trust that it is worthy of the world’s attention and will find its audience.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Building a career as a creative in the music industry requires planting as many seeds as possible to see which ones grow. Apart from being an artist, I’ve found fulfillment in writing for other artists as well as for film and tv(also known as sync). In my third year at Belmont, my journey took an exciting turn when I attended a month-long music study abroad program in London. Over three days, I co-wrote three songs for a sync agency called The Nerve. Following the program, the company offered me the opportunity to write and produce a six-song album for them. What I love about writing for film and TV is the creative variety it brings. When working on artist projects, there’s often pressure to write a hit—something that is memorable and sticks with listeners. In contrast, sync music is typically meant to complement a scene rather than take center stage. This presents a different challenge: crafting songs that are broad and versatile enough to fit various narratives. I enjoy the creative contrast between the two, as it allows me to explore different approaches to storytelling through music.

On the artist side, I’ve committed to writing more for myself and releasing music consistently. In February, I released my first single of the year, “Widow’s Wall.” The song reflects on love, loss, and resilience, inspired by the rock jetty at Widow Walls Beach in Morro Bay, California, where I grew up. It draws a parallel between the jetty guiding boats out to sea and the emotional journey through heartbreak. “Widow’s Wall” was co-written with fellow California-born, Nashville-based writer Anna Bates and produced by Justin Kollars. The song was recorded in Nashville, and paired with visuals filmed at Widow Walls, the song blends coastal nostalgia, modern folk, and haunting melodies. Looking ahead, I plan to release a single every other month. My next release, “Lifeline,” explores the internal conflict between the desire to maintain a relationship and the realization that letting go might be the healthiest choice. Musically, it pulls from 80s pop influences while staying true to my folk roots. I’m excited to continue refining my folk-pop sound, focusing on accessible melodies and evocative storytelling.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
At age 16, during my high school’s 2018 March Walkouts for gun safety, I performed my original song, “Renegades,” which is a fight song for my generation. Following the walkout, I made national news and was contacted by NPR journalist and ethnomusicologist, Katherine Meizel, to record a song for a national album. The album compilation Raise Your Voice!: Sound of Student Protest is a cross-section of America. It includes young artists standing up for what they believe. From Morro Bay, California to a music class in New York City, these students all share messages of resilience, grief, and growth in their songs. My song “Renegades” was professionally recorded by the Little Village Foundation, a non-profit record label and released in 2018. Following the release, five student performers and I had the honor of debuting the album in front of thousands of people at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. As I looked out at the mass of people and began to sing, I realized that my voice of power is music. This experience was transformative for my career in music, it surrounded me with like-minded creators and showed me the impact my art can have on the world. I continue to use my music as a catalyst for change, and a way for people to feel seen, understood, and supported. I’m looking forward to the collaborations, live performances, and new music that this next year will bring.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amaliafleming.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaliafleming/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amalia.songwriter/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@amaliaflemingofficial?feature=shared
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4H2E8Zhw8QOAyR9lKcQVYf?si=V_jSJ-L7SFir1g_5jxiNYw