Spotlight: Amanda Keeles

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Spotlight: Amanda Keeles | Reinvention, Country-Rock & “Leads Me To You”

Spotlight: Amanda Keeles captures an artist stepping confidently into her next chapter — one shaped by reinvention, resilience, and the courage to bet on herself. With the release of “Leads Me To You,” Keeles continues to build momentum through bold country-rock storytelling and an unmistakable sense of purpose, proving that growth doesn’t follow a timeline — it follows conviction.

It’s great to reconnect — since we last spoke, what feels like the biggest shift in your world, creatively or personally?

Creatively, I can feel my growth as an artist from when I started this journey 2.5 years ago. The momentum of my music being heard, the strength of our live band performances and in my sound – the upcoming songs for the album will be noticeably different. The new songs will reflect my direction to more modern country with some surprising rock vibes in a few songs. Personally, I have learned a lot about this industry without the assistance of any big industry support. It has made me more focused, more fearless and solidified my view that if you want something to happen, you have to make it happen with hard work. As I continue to grow I look forward to seeing where the future takes me.

Your new single “Leads Me To You” is the first taste of your upcoming sophomore album. What made this song feel like the right place to begin this next chapter?

Leads Me To You is that rush of adrenaline you can feel! I think this was a good first single as it reflects running towards someone with all your heart, no hesitation, and no boundaries. Kind of like where I am now in my career. A debut album, a 2-year tour of that album, and over 650,000 streams of Can’t Stop Me Now album across platforms. The momentum is ready for Leads Me To You.

The track has a confident, full-throttle Country-Rock energy. How does this song reflect where you are right now compared to your debut era?

The Country-Rock edge comes from life experiences. As an unknown artist going through the grind of wins and losses in this business, I have a sense of confidence in what I have learned and am still learning. With each song released, I gain more knowledge of what is working and not working. My love of music was so diverse in the first album that although I am a country artist, many of the songs leaned to soft rock/pop and alternative leaning. That also lead to my music being played on many different stations and playlists. Now I know what sound I am looking for and how I want to be seen and heard as an artist with that full-throttle energy. And collaborations are something I want to continue to explore.

“Leads Me To You” explores chasing love, purpose, and passion without hesitation. Was there a specific moment or mindset that sparked this song for you?

I started writing this song with a beat in my head. I normally write with a story idea or melody, but this song came to me with that driving beat first. So, I think the energy was built from the start. The first lines I wrote got me fired up – “Running to you like the wind on fire, heart jump start like a real live wire”. Everyone knows that euphoric feeling of being in love. “Like a wild horse running, your love flowing through my veins”. It just had that momentum of energy from the start.

You’ve spoken openly about walking away from a long career in finance to bet on yourself creatively. How has your relationship with risk changed now that you’re building momentum in music?

Walking away from a career that I had spent half my life to this point focusing on was not something I took lightly. There is never a guarantee in anything you do. I think life opens the way for you to accomplish what you want, but you must do the work. I jumped in headfirst as an unknown artist releasing my songs and not expecting anything but someone to finally hear my creations. It turned into a wonderful whirlwind of a journey. You must take risk when you follow your passion, even if it doesn’t land where you want it to. You must jump in or wonder what if forever.

After the success of Can’t Stop Me Now and two years of national touring, what lessons are you carrying into the making of your sophomore album?

The biggest lessons I’m taking into my next album come directly from touring and seeing the response to Can’t Stop Me Now. With over 650,000 steams and views of this album, I’ve learned how much energy, connection, and authenticity matter. I’ve also learned to trust my instincts as a songwriter and performer. This next album is bolder both in song and in performances, and I think people will notice the difference.

Being named Country Artist of the Year at the Forest City London Music Awards was a major moment. How did that recognition shape your confidence heading into this new release?

Such an honour to have your music community recognize what you are doing. It was a huge moment for me. It gave me confidence that I must be doing something that is on the right path! I gave me a sense of fearless creativity and expression, both on and off the stage, writing and recording. It was a reminder that taking risks and staying true to who you are pays off. It set an even bigger fire to create music that was already burning in me.

You’ve become known for your honesty about reinvention and starting fresh later in life. What do you think people misunderstand most about taking a creative leap at this stage?

I think many people wonder, why now? Why later than almost all other artists who start in this industry. I have always been very honest about not pursuing my music at a younger point in my life. I wanted to. I had that passion, that dream. Then life happened and I found myself slowly drifting away from that dream to the point I only wrote songs for expressing my feelings on paper. Then my life took a big shift a few years ago. I found myself making huge life choices on my own and managing a demanding career. One day it hit me – I want to sing, write, and perform because this is who I am. This is where I come from, a musical family. It is not an easy industry. Stereotyping is common and for an artist it can be tough. But I come into this with life learned lessons, a business background, good work ethics and a strong sense of who I am and want to achieve. My team around me continues to grow and I have the ability to negotiate and make choices that work.

As you move into this next album cycle, what excites you most about where your sound and storytelling are heading?

What excites me the most is exploring bolder sounds and melodies and giving audiences a new sound they weren’t expecting. I believe my songwriting can only gain new ideas with collaborations and I am looking forward to working with more artists.

What is one thing you are most proud of since the last time we spoke?

I am most proud of how much I have grown as an artist. Touring, receiving multiple artist awards as well as music video awards with help of Roadhouse Productions. I also did not have any social media until 2 years ago! So, while my followers slowly are climbing, I am proud of the fact I have started to really learn how social media works. I am proud of my band. We have different creative ideas, and we have stuck together since the beginning. I am proud we have worked so well together over the last 2 years.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself during this new chapter of your career?

The most interesting thing I have learned is that I am stronger and more resilient that I thought I was! Starting out I had a lot of doors that wouldn’t open. And I went out and found my path anyway. And now I have learned that I do not let negatively get in the way. I drown out any noise that doesn’t serve a purpose. And focus on what feels good and true to who I am as an artist.

What is one question you wish interviewers would ask you now that doesn’t get asked often enough?

I wish people would ask me what the biggest struggle has been going in this career? I think people would like to hear some of the honest and human feelings of being not only a woman in the country music industry, entering at different point in life than most, but one who came in completely unknown jumping both feet in. And also how I manage to keep myself in check when it comes to expectations.

What do you hope fans take away from this new era of your music?

I want fans to feel empowered and to know they’re not alone in taking risks, starting over, or chasing something bigger. This music comes from a place of growth, and I hope it encourages people to keep going, even when it’s hard. I want them to enjoy the energy this new music brings!

Spotlight: Amanda Keeles celebrates an artist moving forward with confidence, purpose, and fearless momentum.

Check out Leads Me To You right now!

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