1. Olivia Lyons
AS Media
Foundation Portfolio
Magazine Article
Magazine Article Draft
Double Page Spread
Aimee has been tipped to be the next big thing to come out of the UK following in the
footsteps of Adele, Estelle and Leona Lewis to name just a few. However her unique sound
has set her aside from the rest and baggedheranomination for the critics’ choice award at
the Brits later this month. Such a prestigious award won previously by the likes of Jessie J
and EmeliSandé who are now storming the UK and Ireland singles and album charts.Signed
to Island Records in the UK - home to Amy Winehouse, U2 and Florence and the Machine,
Aimee’s style is a mix of urban pop and RnB vibes.
Following the success of artists such as Justin Bieber and Lilly Allan, Aimee decided to take
advantage of web two technology and uploaded videos to YouTube in her spare time in
hope she could mirror just a fraction of their success. Unbeknown to her, these videos
would reach hits with the excess of 10,000 views in just a few months, and more surprisingly
one of those views would come from music mogul Wil.i.am and change her life for good.
Aimee’s whole persona oozes ‘pop star’, arriving at the studio with hoards of fans waiting
eagerly for just a glimpse of theiridol. Taking time to sign autographs and have pictures, it’s
reassuring to know fame and celebrity haven’t changed the 21 year old Mancunion chart
sensation.
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to meet Aimee and get an insight into the life of
2012’s freshest talent.
So, you seem to of become an overnight success?
(Smiles) Yeah I suppose to onlookers I have, but the truth is I’ve been trying to establish a
name for myself for years. I’ve had auditions, done open mic nights…it really wasn’t as easy
as it has seemed.
Which brings me nicely onto you becoming a YouTube phenomenon?
Phenomenon, wow! In all fairness I never in my wildest dreams imagined that when I
uploaded the videos to YouTube it would take off like it has. I remember hitting 100 views
and being ecstatic, then 1000, then 10,000!! Then I got a call from a music agent to say
wil.i.am wanted to meet me, nothing could have prepared me for that.
Wil.i.am is such an iconic figure in the music industry, what was it like to work with him?
Will is fantastic and his musical knowledge is outrageous!! We both grew up listening to the
same music, and I think this came across in the material we produced together for the
album.
Your image and voice are both so unique; who do you draw inspiration from?

2. Olivia Lyons
AS Media
Foundation Portfolio
Magazine Article
Musicly I’ve been brought up listening to everything from Jimi Hendrix to Girls Aloud, living
in a house with people with such varied music taste I tended to listen to things that I
wouldn’t necessarily choose myself but I now think that has come as an advantage. I’m
really into Jessie J, I like everything she represents in her music, I don’t know, I feel like I get
her (laughs).
I’ve heard your new single, ‘Cameras Flashing’, was co-written by yourself and Canadian
rapper Drake, how did that come about?
(Laughs) He’s the man. Will introduced us at his album launch in Miami, he told me he’d
been listening to some of my stuff in the studio and wanted to get together, I didn’t think
much of it but the next day he followed it up and we spent the day in the studio together.
He’d wrote the chorus and together we worked on the verses, it all just came so naturally
it’s like we both knew what we wanted out of the song.
That single is featured on your debut album, ‘The Truth About The Lies’, which is
released…
Yeah that’s right, the album is released on the 23rd April, I’m nervous but it’s all exciting
stuff. I’m enjoying the promotional side of things; the shoots are fun (laughs).
And then it’s focusing on winning the Brit award isn’t it?
(Laughs) That would be an added bonus. I mean for me it’s an achievement to even be
nominated; you just have to look at the other nominees in the category to see how much
talent there is there.
Well we wish you all the luck, you have our support! What else is in store for 2012 then?
Who knows, hopefully the single will do well and the album to follow. I’m to set to play at V
Festival in the summer which I’m really looking forward to as I was there last year…but in
the crowd! That’s weird (laughs). Oh, and I’m supporting Rihanna in her UK leg of the ‘Loud’
tour, excited!!
Wow, we expect big things from you in 2012 then, no pressure (laughs). Thanks for
coming down anyway, can’t wait to get our hands on a copy of the album next week.