Singer-songwriter Chelsea Amber is just starting her career, and she already is making waves in the Christian music scene. She released her debut album, to critical acclaim and her recent win at the Covenant Awards for Best Female Vocalist and Best Pop Album, and Juno nomination show that there are no signs of her slowing down anytime soon.
Born in Halifax, she spent a little bit of time in New Brunswick before jetting home in her teens, where she really honed her music talent.
“Music has always been an important part of my life,” said Amber. “My mom knew I was drawn to music and that I always loved to sing, but it was in 2005 when I started to think about it more seriously.”
Things moved quickly for Amber, at the end of the year she was performing at a local coffee house when a talent agent at Music Nova Scotia approached her and asked if she ever considered making an album. Amber quickly applied for a grant they were offering for new and up and coming talent and soon found herself in a recording studio. She describes the process as a learning experience, but something she was very much involved in.
Amber writes all her music, lyrics to instrumentation. You’ll always find her behind her guitar something she has been playing since she was 14 years old. She has had some help along the way of course with mentors in the industry from Canada as well as abroad. But Amber keeps a close eye on what kind of music and message she is relaying to the world.
That’s the thing with Amber, even when she is unsure of something she still remains in control. Amber has been writing her own music since she learned how to write. Yet she prefers to write with others, but she does admit to being a perfectionist, which sometimes makes the writing process a long one. With this labour comes Amber’s message loud and clear – hope.
“These messages do come from my faith as a Christian, but it’s something that everyone needs to hear,” said Amber. “Everyone needs to hear there is hope in the midst of a dark season in our lives. I just really want people to realize their full potential.”
This message is riddled throughout her 2014 debut effort, Introducing Chelsea Amber. Songs like “Possibilities,” and “Beautiful Mess of a Girl,” are evidence enough of her drive and passion to inspire others not to give up.
“There are times I feel discouraged, times where I feel like I can’t do this,” said Amber. “But there are always signs from others. I get hope from strangers throughout my life giving me encouraging words, telling me not to give up.”
When she’s not singing or writing, Amber enjoys spending time with her family, and friends, and exercising. Her current obsession is learning about financial management, not so that she gain more, but rather so that she can give more to her community.
Amber has started work on a new album that will keep her message of hope alive – which she is dedicating to anyone who has ever struggled with mental health issues. Through her music, Amber wants to leave a legacy of hope and determination behind, and with the way things are going for Amber there’s no reason to believe she won’t do just that.
