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Post by princeofpersia on Sept 7, 2016 10:52:00 GMT -5
Evanescence’s Amy Lee Debuts ‘Dream Too Much’ Video ‘Inspired’ By 2-Year-Old Son
Amy Lee is best known for her band Evanescence’s dark, moody rock, but family life seems to have changed her tune.
The Grammy-nominated singer will release Dream Too Much, a kids’ and family album, later this month on Amazon. The 12-song set will include original tracks, as well as covers of classics (including the Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye” and Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”) and beloved children’s ditties like “Rubber Duckie.”
PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the dreamy music video for the collection’s title track, which Lee says was inspired by her 2-year-old son Jack Lion, whom she welcomed with husband Josh Hartzler in 2014.
“I was shocked by the huge emotion and the inspiration that came from having a child, and I am inspired by him all the time,” Lee, 34, tells PEOPLE. “I just really wanted to make music again. And I kind of thought when I had kids, I would want to do what I do less — I would just want to focus on being a mom and sort of retire. But I just don’t feel that way! I feel so motivated. I have all these new feelings and thoughts and ideas to share.”
Indeed the “My Immortal” singer says her new perspective as a parent has influenced both her outlook on life and on her music, as well.
“I’m inspired by watching his mind open up. Every day, he experiences stuff for the first time, and it’s so cool to go do that: just the joy on his face or the surprise or the fascination,” says Lee.
Reliving life’s simpler moments for the first time with her son informed the album, too.
“Seeing it through his eyes is exactly what inspired the record. So the original songs, they came from him, from his little mind,” she says.
The singer admits the lyrics of “Dream Too Much” — e.g., “there’s a monkey in the band” and “the muffins are all sleeping” — are “nonsense.” But they too were inspired by her little boy.
“So much of it was about pleasing him and talking to him and communicating with him and making him happy: watching that bright smile on his face as we’re talking about the same thing together,” says Lee.
And as it turns out, the entire album was a family affair, too. Lee decided to go into the recording studio with her radio deejay dad, John, as a 60th birthday gift to him. They originally planned to record some of their favorite songs from her youth — including Pure Prairie League’s “Ami,” after which she was named — but soon, they invited her uncle Tom, as well as her sisters Lori and Carrie, to join in the fun.
“We’re all three-part harmony-ing it up and making up crazy parts and getting all choir nerd on it,” Lee says of the familial collaboration.
“We were being a family, but also being able to work on a constructive project, which made for such a better time, actually. It’s a different kind of thing that happens when you’re working on something together. You get to shine, and everybody gets their moment. It’s really powerful. And it really was, from the beginning, to make something for ourselves, and then we let it spiral out of control, and I’m so glad we did.”
As for the colorful “Dream Too Much” video, Lee decided to tap into her longtime affinity for stop motion animation, enlisting a professional to bring her own drawings and artwork to life in the enchanting clip.
And Lee will pull a Beyoncé, making the entire collection a visual album, as whimsical videos are being produced to accompany each of the record’s upbeat tracks.
As for Evanescence fans concerned their gothic queen has gone soft on them, fret not.
“If you look at my stage outfits from day one, I’ve been a rainbow cupcake all along,” Lee says, laughing. “It’s not that different. No eyeliner — that’s different [this time]. To me, it’s about the sound: The sound, obviously, is very different. It’s definitely been in there all along. It’s just that Evanescence is what took off. There’s always been this other colorful side.”
Dream Too Much, out exclusively on Amazon Sept. 30, is available for pre-order now.
Lee will hit the road with Evanescence for a month-long tour starting in October.
— Jeff Nelson
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 10:55:19 GMT -5
The video is heart-melting level of adorable imaginativeness! Also, anyone notice Jack's giggling at the beginning?  |
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Post by mydnyghtamethyst on Sept 7, 2016 18:39:56 GMT -5
My son played the video like 5 times in a row. Then started singing (yelling) "No dream too much!"  Proud mama here. |
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Post by princeofpersia on Sept 9, 2016 3:18:14 GMT -5
Just wondering how much of making these videos is Amy's work (except the concept art and paintings which are clearly her work). Remember those short animated clips she posted on her social accounts around 2 years ago? she made one of them for someone. a kid if I remember correctly. it was about a toy robot who was playing with letters.  |
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Post by The_Sacrificed on Sept 9, 2016 3:49:34 GMT -5
Just wondering how much of making these videos is Amy's work (except the concept art and paintings which are clearly her work). Remember those short animated clips she posted on her social accounts around 2 years ago? she made one of them for someone. a kid if I remember correctly. it was about a toy robot who was playing with letters. I don't remember that one but I remember one with a squirrel and an orange in it. |
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Post by princeofpersia on Sept 9, 2016 5:22:18 GMT -5
Just wondering how much of making these videos is Amy's work (except the concept art and paintings which are clearly her work). Remember those short animated clips she posted on her social accounts around 2 years ago? she made one of them for someone. a kid if I remember correctly. it was about a toy robot who was playing with letters. I don't remember that one but I remember one with a squirrel and an orange in it. yes you're right. I think I've mistaken about that robot toy ... but I clearly remember a video she made with alphabet letters tiles... Edit: seems it's not available to watch anymore. but I'm sure I have it somewhere in my archive. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 9:33:12 GMT -5
I don't remember that one but I remember one with a squirrel and an orange in it. yes you're right. I think I've mistaken about that robot toy ... but I clearly remember a video she made with alphabet letters tiles... Edit: seems it's not available to watch anymore. but I'm sure I have it somewhere in my archive. A friend of hers (the founder of TWLOHA) has a nephew, maybe it was for him. |
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blueberry
Baron/Baroness of EvThreads
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Post by blueberry on Sept 10, 2016 1:20:53 GMT -5
I'm so glad she's featured on People!!!! I know popularity or fame has never been 1st on Amy's list of goals, but having that recognition is definitely beneficial to other opportunities opening up for her. And solely based on the Dream Too Much song/video and the clips from the album, I think this will appeal to so many people that may otherwise not pay attention to her based on her soundtrack work and Evanescence. I've believed since Ev first burst onto the scene that Amy has the most enchanting voice in the world. Time has only made me believe she deserves so much more credit for her creativity than she's received. Next, she needs a spot on a popular talk show. Lol.
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Post by Rarkphoenix on Sept 10, 2016 2:27:38 GMT -5
"I've been a rainbow cupcake all along" XD
I love this woman <3
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Post by happyevfan on Sept 11, 2016 9:30:52 GMT -5
The video is so adorable and I'm really curious how long it took to make... I'm so excited to see the rest of them! |
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Proud mama here.
