INTERVIEW: Amber Kenny on her Beautiful Scars and triumphant album release
A collection of songs that will crack you open and also make you whole
A note
This interview with Amber Kenny was recorded a few weeks ago. I’d planned to release it when Kenny released her album, Beautiful Scars, in late May but life – or, rather, work – got in the way. When the day job becomes the night job there is not much time left for posting interviews! But things are settling down (for now, at least) and I’ll be catching up on the interviews already recorded, and hopefully recording a New Releases podcast episode very soon.
**If you’d rather watch the interview than listen to it, the video appears at the end of this post.**
***
Amber Kenny is from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, where she lives on a farm with her family, horses and cherished Maton guitar.
I first saw Kenny perform in Tamworth during the 2024 Country Music Festival, appearing at the album launch for her 3 Birds & the Truth bandmate Jo Caseley (the third Bird is Beth Lucas), and knew she had plans to release music, but nothing appeared for the rest of that year. The reason why is something Kenny raises early in our interview to talk about her new album, Beautiful Scars, which is out now on vinyl, CD and via Bandcamp (the title single – and earlier singles – are available on streaming services now). I asked her what the beautiful scars might be and she offered the answer with vulnerability and complete transparency, and I acknowledge the responsibility in receiving it.
The story that Kenny tells of the album’s creation is one of creative commitment and perseverance and, above all, love of music. She is an artist who is fully immersed in the world around her and documents her experiences in song. We talk about the songs as well as her formation as an artist, including her formative time at the CMAA Academy of Country Music. I’m sure you will find Kenny as interesting as I did, and hope you will then seek out her music.
Amber Kenny plays regularly, especially around the Southern Highlands, and you can see her gig schedule at https://amberkennymusic.com.au