Meet Amanda Young of Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Young.

Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Music has been a thread through my life for as long as I can remember, but becoming the lead singer of The Strands gave me a way to turn that lifelong relationship with music into something tangible and shared with other people.

I’ve always been drawn to songs that have a point of view—music that can make you feel something, tell a story, or stay with you long after it ends. Singing lead has allowed me to explore that from the inside: not just performing a song, but figuring out how to inhabit it and make it my own.

My journey with The Strands has been a combination of music, friendship, persistence, and a lot of figuring things out as we go. Like most bands, we’ve had our share of challenges and unexpected turns, but those experiences are part of what has made the journey meaningful. Every rehearsal, recording session, and live show has taught me something about music and about myself.

What I love most about being in The Strands is the connection that happens when we perform. You can spend hours working on a song, but ultimately it only comes alive when you put it in front of people. There’s a particular energy that happens between a band and an audience that you can’t really manufacture.

Today, I’m still learning, still performing, and still chasing that feeling of getting a song exactly where I want it to be. I don’t really see music as something I’ve “arrived” at. It’s something I’m continuing to build, with The Strands, one song and one performance at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges haven’t made me question music itself. I’ve always felt that music is my purpose in life, so even when things have been difficult, I’ve never really questioned whether I should be doing it.

The biggest challenge has been dealing with revolving members over the years. A band is a very personal thing—you’re not just trying to find people who can play their instruments well. You’re looking for people who share your passion, your work ethic, your sense of humor, and your vision for what you’re creating. When people come and go, it can be difficult both creatively and personally. You build something together, and then suddenly you have to adjust and rebuild.

At the same time, those experiences have taught me a lot about what makes a band work. The Strands aren’t just a collection of musicians. We’re people who genuinely enjoy being together and who love what we’re doing. That matters to me enormously.

I feel very fortunate that I get to make music with people I love, doing something that I believe I’m meant to do. There are certainly obstacles along the way, but when we’re on stage together and everything clicks, those obstacles seem pretty insignificant. At the end of the day, we’re doing something we love with people we love—and that’s what keeps me going.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the lead singer of The Strands, my work is really about bringing songs to life and creating a connection with the people we’re performing for. I’m not interested in simply getting up on stage and singing the notes correctly. For me, the voice is another instrument, but it’s also a way of communicating emotion, personality, and the story behind a song.

The Strands have our own sound and identity, but what I’m most proud of is the chemistry we have as a group. We genuinely enjoy making music together, and I think that comes across when we perform. There’s an energy that happens when everyone on stage is completely invested in what they’re doing, and that’s something I never want to lose.

I’m especially proud of the fact that we’re still doing this because we love it. There are plenty of reasons to make music for recognition, attention, or career opportunities, but ultimately, I think the best reason is because you can’t imagine your life without it. That’s where I am with music.

What sets me apart is probably that I don’t see being a singer as simply being the person out front. I’m part of a band, and I care deeply about the entire musical experience—the songs, the musicians, the performance, and the connection with the audience. I want people to walk away feeling like they experienced something rather than simply watched a band play.

If there’s one thing I’d like The Strands to be known for, it’s that we genuinely love what we’re doing. You can’t fake that, and I think audiences can feel the difference.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One of the things I love most about Los Angeles is the sheer access to great musicians and live music. There are so many talented people here, and there’s always another band to discover, another show to see, or another musician to meet. For someone who loves music, it’s an incredible place to be. I also love that there are so many different musical communities and scenes happening at the same time.

What I like least is the pay-to-play model that exists in parts of the local music scene. I understand that venues have their own economics and that putting on live music isn’t free, but I don’t believe musicians should have to buy their way onto a stage. It’s a model I personally refuse to participate in.

I believe musicians should be paid for the work they do. We put enormous amounts of time into rehearsing, writing, preparing, transporting equipment, and performing, and I think live music has value. Fortunately, there are still venues and people who recognize that, and I’d much rather support those places and be part of a scene that values the musicians who make it possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thestrandsofficial.com
• Instagram: www.instagram,com/thestrandsofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrandsofficial