After recovering from Covid - which was really awful :-( - I’m working on
formatting my annual blogger magazine READ MY MIND.
2022 has been entirely dedicated to music. It all
started with my Ambassadors story “Lennon, The Miracle of Music”. In spring I've invited international Indie artists for a Q&A on my blog and thanks to my online
petition #HumanityB4Nationality I can finally share my song lyrics as a
storyteller.
"Only one person
besides my mom actually did try to help me and heard my voice, my cry for
help, so to say. It was in 2005 when I published the first version of
Destination: Freedom. I sent a copy to many “powerful” people around the world
to bring awareness to our hopeless struggle as refugees. I received
encouraging answers but the ONLY person who really cared and acted was Queen
Elizabeth." Lily Amis
These days the world is watching United Kingdom and people who have met the Queen share their incredible, touching, and funny stories. And I remembered a blog interview that I gave back in 2016 to a British writer. I haven't shared this interview here on my own blog to this date. But now is the best time and my way to remember the Queen. She was a remarkable woman in every way and will always be remembered for her love, loyalty, compassion, and kindness! And of course for her great sense of humor....
I've known Lily Amis for some time on Twitter, but only recently found out some of her harrowing and lonely background. Having had my children make a local collection for refugees in Calais, I am already cued into some of the awfulness of life in a refugee camp, but only from the outside. Imagine that it's you who escaped from a place where you might be injured or die, or at the very least live in fear of this happening every day, only to spend years in a life worse than poverty, worse than the bombings, because the country you've escaped to won't let you in, won't allow you your own life. Lily tells her first-hand account of escaping a middle eastern country at war, to raise awareness for people still suffering as she and her mother suffered.
Hello, Lily. Welcome to Script Alchemy, and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions about your life and your books. I have so many questions, but I'll try to narrow them down to the most relevant, to give folk a taste of what they can read in your latest book, Destination Freedom. Please tell us a little of what it was like to live in a war zone, so bad your mother, Sima, made the decision to get you out of there and escape with you, at the age of ten, from war-torn Iran to the safe haven of Switzerland. How did it compare to what you knew before the war, in your younger days?
First of all thank you so much for doing this Interview with me Annelisa. I really appreciate your interest in me and my story. Living in a war zone from one day to another
is one of the most horrifying experiences in Life, whether you’re an adult or a
kid. As a kid you don’t really understand what’s going on because not even the
adults know how to deal with this life-changing situation. I still remember and
feel the uncertainty, insecurity and fear of death. Your daily life and the
behaviour of the adults changes drastically. All of a sudden, people that gave
you comfort and security are helpless too. Every moment can be the last, and
you are totally conscious of that when you clearly hear the
bombings day and night. People always assume that war only happens in other
countries. The truth is, our world is, was and sadly will always be a bad
place. Why? Because of the stupidity of some “powerful” people who are
ruling/destroying our world for nothing but greed for more power and wealth.
These people forget that none of us will live forever!
Despite a horrible emotional-setback by my father, who left us when I was just five years old, I had a lovely childhood. I grew up in a home and neighbourhood filled with love and harmony. My mother’s parents were amazing and my mom, Sima, is the most loving, selfless and sacrificing human I have ever met. My family treated me like a little princess. I enjoyed school and loved my teachers and my schoolmates. I was a happy girl. Leaving everyone and everything you love behind, just to survive, is an emotional sacrifice that anyone who is trapped in the same situation would do. We all wish a fearless and safe life. And that’s our human right, regardless of where we come from.
Last year, you had some national exposure in the Daily Mirror newspaper, and Frost Magazine, but, I feel, not enough, considering your ambition to raise awareness for those that suffer in the way you suffered every day.
I can only imagine, it must have been truly awful for your mother to want to take you from it. But, what surprises me more, is what you say, that you think it "...would have been better to be killed by a bomb in our own home rather than to go through a permanent fight for acceptance in a foreign country and being treated like dirt and robbed of all our dignity." That puts into perspective how bad your life as a refugee was... it's hard to imagine. Can you give an idea how, for a child, this new situation was so much worse than the old?
Well your feeling is absolutely right Annelisa. I really didn’t get enough attention by the British media for my goal, which is as you correctly say, bringing awareness to a delicate topic and avoiding all the negativity and prejudice that refugees face.
What many people don’t know about my book Destination: Freedom is that I first published the book in 2005. In September 2014, I republished it after re-writing and polishing the first version. And, when I decided to promote my memoir in England, Germany, Austria and Swiss (because the book is also available in German) last year in June 2015, I could not have predicted that the refugee crisis would become a global issue.To my surprise, even though my timing was perfect with an honest and eye-opening first-hand story, it was difficult to find a publicist to support me. Agencies in Germany and Switzerland told me I wouldn’t have any chance with my topic, because the journalists aren’t really keen on the refugee topic. As said, that was in June and look what happened ironically just a few weeks later. However, despite the support of a professional Book Agency in London and the perfect timing for my story, only three titles (The Mirror, Frost Magazine and Female First) of a hundred British national titles, supported me as an Indie-Author. The Guardian considered a story, but then didn’t published anything as hoped. But that’s fine.
As one of my inspiring Interview partners, the American Fiction Author, Bibiana Krall, quoted recently: “My spirit animal is the turtle. Dedication and patience wins the race.” I love her attitude and I also think that good things take time. The journey itself is what makes us who we are and not, the final destination. I also believe that I wouldn’t have become a blogger, if I didn’t feel unsupported by the media. Now I’m actually glad to speak out and reach people with my blog. And because of this lack of support and interest I have decided to support other creative people like myself. I feel it is my duty to help others on their journey. Selfless support is what Life is about and I love to help, because no ONE, except my mother, has ever supported me in my life.
Now, to your next question regarding my brutal
but honest quote. Honestly, without any exaggeration, my experience and fear of
death during the daily bombings in my hometown were NOTHING comparing to what
we faced later as refugees in Switzerland for over two decades! Rejection,
humiliation, discrimination and a life in constant fear of existence were like
a lifelong punishment - from the minute we entered the country as war-refugees
until today, where we are (FINALLY) Swiss Citizens -That’s what I felt as a
child and still do as an adult. A life without human rights, freedom and
dignity is worth nothing!
Sadly, the news is full of how refugees are trying to escape from areas of upheaval and conflict and, after making sometimes dangerous journeys, they end up in refugee 'camps' like the one in Calais. Escaping the war zone is obviously only the start of a new set of problems. What was the worst thing you remember about the journey out of Iran, and settling into a new country?
Thank you for this question. There is something that bothers me ever since the daily mirror article about Calais was online. Someone has made an anonymous comment. I quote: “This is a very dishonest article. Here is a very attractive young lady who looks like a native of Europe. The millions who want to get here (and alas are succeeding) look nothing like this.”
Only a shallow and clueless man makes a
thoughtless comment like this. I would love to ask this person: How would you
look like if you had spent days without proper sleep and food? How would you
look like if you had to fear for your life and leave everything and everyone
that matters to you behind for a dangerous journey and an uncertain future?
These desperate people didn’t look like this, when they lived safe in
their country. Nothing about this article was dishonest.
My journey from leaving my hometown and
settling in Europe was, for sure, not as horrifying as the refugee’s fate now.
We flew over 46 hours in less than a week and it was dramatic because of other
reasons. (Don’t want to go into detail. It’s all written in Destination:
Freedom) But, as you correctly say, the escape is only the start of a
new set of problems. The journey is only the beginning of a lifelong misery. We
see the images of the refugee’s journey these days, thanks to the media
coverage, which is heart-breaking. But the actual tragedy begins from day one
when they officially register as refugees in their new country.
Many refugees that entered Germany in 2015
full of false hopes decided to go back after just a few weeks of uncertainty in
the refugee camps. I applaud them for this step. They may think that destiny
was not on their side. But sometimes it is actually a blessing not to get what we
wish. The children of these families will have a better future in their own
homeland than having a future in a European country without any rights and
dignity.
For me personally the worst thing was leaving behind my grandparents and my lovely home and personal belongings. That was an emotional disaster. I adored my grandparents and spent hours with my grandfather; who was also a father figure. I missed them like crazy. The first months without their love and care were horrible. It was also extremely challenging to spend months in a refugee house (in a room of 15 m) with complete strangers; families that I didn’t know. My happy world fell apart. Everything and everyone I knew was gone. My childhood was over and I had to grow up fast in a country, where I felt unwelcomed and rejected from minute one.
Another setback was my Education. I was a very good student back in my hometown. I loved school and subjects like history, geography and biology. But, once in Switzerland, I first had to do a one-year preparation school for foreign kids. As a kid (at the age of five) I had already spent kindergarten in Germany because of a medical treatment I had back then. So in the back of my mind I understood the German language already. After the first year was over and I joined a Swiss Public School and I was shocked about the low level of education. When I showed my books from my hometown to my teacher he was very surprised. He couldn’t believe how further the level of schooling was in my own country. A higher education (also for women) was, and is still, extremely important in our culture. So, school wise, I was very unsatisfied and displaced. Unfortunately in the following years and during the most important time of Education I had to deal with a racist teacher, who made my life also a living hell. So, all in all, it was just a nightmare. I had lost everything that I loved: My home, my grandparents, my school, my lovely teachers and my schoolmates.
Everything I know today is from self-studying. I didn’t learn much in the oh so popular Swiss Schools. For example I learned English from watching cheesy American Soap Operas and not in School. God bless the Bold & Beautiful production and the Forrester Family!
I see, from your website NasSima Design and YouTube channel of the same name, that you continue to be very close to your mother. You obviously have great respect for her. If you don't mind, I wonder if you would tell us something about this woman, brave enough to save you from a life of fear and bombs and travel to a strange country to start a new life? (Please be as expansive as you like. She is obviously as special woman.)
My mom is my BFF and the most loving, caring,
understanding, independent and gifted woman I know. Without her strength,
optimism and belief, we two wouldn’t have made it. Life was not easy on both of
us. We had to overcome many obstacles and disappointments. If anyone else
would have experienced what my mom had as a single-mother, they wouldn’t have
survived life.
As I said, I was raised like a princess and
the new start in Switzerland was my emotional suicide. My childhood was
immediately over. But, I think, for my mom, the whole experience of
becoming a refugee was much harder. Sima had lived in Germany, Austria,
Switzerland and Italy for many years during her twenties. She even lived in
United Kingdom for six years and got married in London (Hampstead Heath). My
mom lived in Surrey where her husband was studying Electric Engineering at the
University of Surrey. In fact I have a half-brother, who’s a British and
Canadian citizen. He was born in London (Surrey). Unfortunately, the marriage
with my half-brother's father didn’t last and my mom returned to Tehran, where
she met my father. My half-brother was very lucky; because of Education he
stayed in London and moved later to Canada for University. Today he lives
happily with his Canadian wife and my gorgeous niece in Toronto. He was lucky
that he didn’t have to experience war.
So, my mom was always used to live a free life
in Europe. She sometimes even flew just for shopping with empty suitcases from
Tehran to London. But, when we left our country, because of war, and
ended up in Switzerland (which was NEVER our destination) it was another story.
After the revolution, and during the war, we were suddenly not welcome anymore.
Sima already spoke fluent German and English and knew the culture and mentality
very well. But the refugee law and bureaucracy didn’t care and treated us like
sheet. My mom had to fight for us for years and I applaud her for her strong
personality. Luck was never on our side. So Life made us stick stronger
together. We have supported each other through so many emotional challenges in
Life. Horrible men, terrible jobs, loneliness, social isolation, health issues,
fear of existence etc. We are more than just mother and daughter. We are best
friends, who could never rely on anyone else than on each other. No one has
supported me like my mom. She is my rock! She is my everything. We complete
each other and are also a great duo creative-wise. As naSima design we have
worked on several projects and continue to do so. In fact right now we are
working on a book in which we document her
incredible work as designer and her message for tolerance, hope, believe and
faith.
She sounds like an amazing and inspirational woman, Lily. I have a lot of respect for people who 'do what they gotta do' with determination and bravery. You say no one beside your mom ever supported you. I can't help but feel sad about that. Nobody at all helped you, in all that time? Did you ever ask for help?
Oh, trust me, I did. But, even to this date, I
feel that it doesn’t really matter what you say or to whom you talk to. People
are too busy with their own life and no one really listens to what you have to
say. Everybody is somehow trying to manage Life which is understandable. I
learned from very young age on that you can’t and shouldn’t rely on anyone
beside yourself.
Having said that, I have to mention one person
beside my mom, who actually did try to help and heard my voice, my cry for
help, so to say. It was in 2005, when I published the first version of
Destination: Freedom. I sent a copy to many “powerful” people around the world
to bring awareness about our hopeless struggle as refugees. I received
encouraging answers but the only person who really cared and acted was Queen
Elizabeth.
"it was a gesture of
understanding and support that not many people have shown until this date.
Queen Elizabeth was amazing. The world needs more caring people like her. God bless her! Lily Amis
Our Queen? This I have to
hear! Please tell more :-)
I wrote a very personal letter to Buckingham
Palace and told her how my mom and I feel isolated, unaccepted, displaced and
imprisoned (with our permission we were not allowed to travel outside of
Switzerland for fifteen years).
The Queen passed my inquiry to Mister Jack
Straw (the Foreign Minister) and informed me about it. And, when I didn’t
receive any answer from Mister Straw’s office after months, I contacted the
Queen again. It took a while, and then the British Embassy in Geneva contacted
me and tried to find a way for us to move to the United Kingdom, because of my
mom’s history in the UK and my British half-brother.
As you can imagine this
experience was amazing. I was so full of hope. Unfortunately, it didn’t work
out, because my half-brother now lives in Canada. But it was a gesture of
understanding and support that not many people have shown until this date.
Queen was amazing. The world needs more caring people like her. God bless her.
What a lovely story. For us, the ones who were lucky enough to be born in a country without war, we see bureaucracy as an annoyance, an inconvenience, yet you say it was bureaucracy that made your life Hell. What changes would you like governments to make to reduce the misery and isolation refugees and their families are forced to endure?
Dealing with bureaucracy is a nightmare. I
wish the governments would stop treating refugees like numbers of annoying
folders on their desk. Behind every number is a destiny. And, for the love of
God, Life is too short and precious to make it miserable for others. I want the
governments to stop toying with people’s destiny. They didn’t choose to become
refugees. None of them created war. They are only helpless and innocent victims
of the stupidity of people in power. So instead of toying, support them and at
the end everyone benefits. Include them instead of isolate them. Refugees are
not a disease; they are human beings with the same desires as everyone else.
Give them a life; give them the chance to build an independent life in dignity.
So, that's what the people 'in power' can do. What about ordinary people? It seems you weren't only isolated by the government's actions, but by those of the communities you moved within? How could they (we) have behaved differently to help you become an accepted part of them?
RESPECT, ACCEPTANCE, TOLERANCE and KINDNESS.
That’s what I wish from people. That alone would help. Treat ALL people the way
you want to be treated, when you are helpless and hopeless and desperate for
understanding and emotional support. Easy as that!
All of us are going to die. Nobody stays
forever. We all are nothing but guests on planet Earth. And the only thing that
lasts is our actions of Love and kindness. Not what we have achieved (money,
success, fame etc.) If you want to be remembered, leave a legacy of Love and
kindness and not hate and betrayal. This year, almost every month, the world is
losing a legend. And, once they are gone, it is totally unimportant what they
have done professionally. All that we will remember is the emotions and
feelings they created. The best example is THE Greatest Muhammad Ali. May he
rest in peace and may people take an example of his exceptional personality and
goals in Life. He used his voice for others until his last breath, despite his
illness. It is not hard to be kind and selfless.
In Frost Magazine, you said you still feel like an outsider as an adult today. What makes you continue to feel this way, and what could authorities do to better integrate refugees and make them feel less as an outsider even after years of living in their country? Also, what can everyday folk do to help refugees and raise awareness of their plight?
Yes, I do feel as an outsider. Despite my
Swiss citizenship, I still have to fight for acceptance. Regardless of what I
do; in the eyes of Swiss people I’m not good enough. I still have to explain
myself and apologize for my destiny as a refugee and as a foreigner in this
country. That’s why I say: “Once a refugee, always a refugee. Once a foreigner,
always a foreigner. “
The authorities and the folk should stop
treating refugees/foreigners like criminals. They should stop punishing people
like prisoners. Discriminating people because of their look, race,
nationality, skin colour, religion etc. is an emotional crime.
I was somewhat disappointed that the two images that represented what you felt as a refugee weren't in the online interview. Is it possible to share them here?
I love to share my work. Thank you for asking. Both drawings were done twenty years ago in 1996. The original size is 50X70 cm. One is expressing that my only hope to ever feel and find Freedom is death!And the other one is expressing how I felt as a Refugee in Switzerland. They both hang to this date in our living room.
Thank you for sharing your drawings, Lily. They are very special, but also, I think, a little disturbing, a reflection on the turmoil you've gone through, I suspect. I understand you're writing another two books about your experiences. Please tell us something more about them.
That’s right. Destination: Freedom is the first part of my trilogy. The follow-up story Definition of Freedom, which I published last year, is about the following years and the misery we went through, because of more bureaucracy and discrimination.
My mom and I lived in fear of deportation for
the following years. We had to fight for acceptance and pure survival for
almost two decades. So I missed out on Life. I really did. I feel as my whole
childhood, teenager hood and adult hood was stolen only in order to be allowed
to stay in Switzerland. I was so busy with the bureaucracy nonsense that
I have neglected the really essential and valuable things in life. When the
government tells you to your face, after a decade, to either marry or leave the
country, and you marry the wrong guy for the wrong reasons, your whole future
is screwed.
Recently, someone who works in a government
office told me something that is sad but true. She said we call the generation
that experience war and becomes a refugee “The lost generation”. I am one of
those lost generations. The fundament for a normal life was stolen once I
became a refugee, and the result was predictable. After more than two decades
of constant fight for acceptance and integration, I ended up having anxiety and
depression. I never experienced true love, a caring and supportive partner,
family, children or at least a career. This year I’m celebrating my round
birthday and all I’m left with are my books.
So, I tell myself, all this mess must be good
for something. Maybe sharing my story is my duty to bring awareness about
delicate topics such as Refugees' fate, discrimination, depression, bullying:
false and thoughtless people, who poison your soul with lies, cheats and
betrayal to achieve their own goals at your cost.
“Definition of Love” is going to be the last part of my trilogy. But I must admit that I’m struggling writing it because of recent events in my life that I’m still trying hard to adjust to.
So I put the script aside and in the last couple of months, I was working on the second part of my children’s book – series. “Bon Voyage - Monsieur Jac & Lily travel to Europe” is going to be available in August 2016. Lily and Monsieur Jac will discover the beauty of the European cities and even have afternoon Tea with her majesty, Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace on her ninetieth birthday. They also do a sightseeing tour throughout London with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Another exciting project I’m working on right now is my first Fiction book “America’s Royal Family”. I’m doing colorful Illustrations these days. Publishing this book with a provocativecover is kind of a trial for my long-term work as an Indie-Author. The story is reflecting the stupidity of our superficial society and I wouldn’t be surprised if I get more attention and readers with this book than with Destination: Freedom and Definition of Freedom. A funny and sweet story that turns out to be not as superficial and stupid as expected.
Do you have any plans to go back to your home country to live?
No. Never! Home country is where your house is and where you feel loved. A place where you are surrounded by your family. Unfortunately, my beloved grandparents have both passed away. The other one live across the globe. Unfortunately, war not only separates families physically but in away also emotionally. Also after living outside of my birth country for over three decades I feel more as a foreigner than home when I go back there for visit. But I also don’t feel at home in Switzerland. Never did, never will. So I don’t really know what home country means or feels like. I lost it when I was ten. And to be honest I have given up on the idea and desire of ever finding it again.
I'm so sorry that you're life has been so hard since you left Tehran, Lily.
And that you haven't felt accepted and welcomed is truly a sad state of
affairs. But, I have to ask you, have you had any periods of happiness amongst
all that unhappiness? Has it all been bad?
Yes, thank God we had moments of happiness. The first time we really felt Happy
was when we felt FREE after fifteen years of being imprisoned in Switzerland
and were finally allowed to return back to our home country. In the following
years my mom and I travelled allot and each holiday was periods of happiness.
It’s all written in my book “Definition of Freedom”. The highlights of all were
our stays in America. We fell in Love with New York. In Europe London is the
city where we feel home. Actually as soon as we leave Switzerland where we
(still) feel unappreciated and unaccepted we are happy.
I remember once we were in London visiting a castle where they asked us where we come from and when I said Swiss and we entered the Castle my mom and I were officially introduced as “The Queen and Princess of Switzerland”. That was hilarious! Lily Amis
It’s ironic how people treat you differently outside of your new country just
based on your passport. Showing the Swiss passport is like having an Academic
title from Oxford or Cambridge University. I remember once we were in London
visiting a castle where they asked us where we come from and when I said Swiss
and we entered the Castle my mom and I were officially introduced as “The Queen
and Princess of Switzerland”. That was hilarious! :-) Beside traveling music,
Live concerts and Musicals are an injection of happiness for us.
Thank you for all your open and heartfelt answers, Lily. I'm sure others will find it as interesting and moving topic as I do, and I hope that you find peace with it all one day. Finally, where can people find you?
It's been a while since my last blog post. My mum and I are fighting Covid for a while now. The previous weeks have been challenging and a reminder that nothing is as essential as our HEALTH!!! And I mean nothing, absolutely nothing.
Yesterday's horrible news has been heartbreaking and as someone who is a fan of the royal family, the Queen, and the United Kingdom, I pulled myself together to write this short blog post!
The Queen seemed so timeless and strong that I always believed she would survive and never be gone... And yet the hard and sad reality is we ALL are only here for a short while no matter who we are!
An inspiring conversation with talented Lily Amis about her latest single and much more!
"The Stolen Years," Lily Amis' latest single, featuring talented Thir13een, is a song you cannot miss!
Lily Amis’ latest single, “The Stolen Years,” is a rare gem of contemporary music that combines brilliant songwriting, meaningful lyrics, and a truly outstanding performance of an artist who knows how to go straight to the listeners’ hearts!
Today, at Planet Singer, we have the pleasure of diving into Lily Amis’ world with an exclusive interview!
Lily, thanks a lot for being with us today! Your music is deep, evocative, and inspiring. With memorable melodies and brilliant lyrics, your songs feed the emotions and dreams of the listeners. We are thrilled to know more about your artistic journey, so let’s start from the very beginning. When did you discover your passion for music?
Thank you so much for having me. I think my love for music is in my DNA. My grandfather (my mum’s dad) played different instruments such as the violin, the sitar, and the piano. He was also a music teacher at the Conservatory of Music in Tehran. From a young age, I enjoyed singing and dancing in front of the mirror. Unfortunately, I didn’t like to play an instrument, even though we had them all. Music always made me happy. It is healing and the reason why I love it so much.
Your single “The Stolen Years” is such a brilliant song. Can you tell us more about this track?
I’m glad to hear that you like this very personal song. The Stolen Years is inspired by my memoir THE STOLEN YEARS IN ZURICH. If you listen carefully to the lyrics, it is a sad song. For a long time, I thought that it should be a ballade. But then I’ve decided that it’s better to make an up-tempo song despite or actually because of the strong and deep message.
Time is the most precious gift we have, but life itself, with all its challenges and obstacles, makes us forget its value. And before we realize it, decades pass like a blink of an eye. And that’s how I feel today. I often wonder how fast it went by while I was surviving instead of living and appreciating every single day, even the difficult ones. And I think everyone can relate to the lyrics in one or the other way.
It is also a special song to me because I fulfilled my childhood dream and sang little parts in the chorus. Can you imagine how I felt when I heard my voice next to this incredibly talented artist? There are no words to describe how emotional I felt. I cried!
How did you meet talented British producer, singer, and songwriter Thir13een?
Working with Thir13een has been the highlight of my year. I don’t exaggerate when I say he is a gift from God. I write song lyrics for more than a decade, and it has always been my wish to collaborate with a talented singer. That’s why I’ve participated in the UK Songwriting Contest in the lyrics category with my song “80 Million People!”. It is a song dedicated to all the innocent refugees worldwide. I was gutted when it didn’t even make it to the Semi-Final.
Months after participating, I also started an online petition #HumanityB4Nationality for better rights for refugees regarding education and integration. It was much harder than I thought to get people to support my cause. Not even charities and NPOS who work in this field signed the petition. So I thought with the miracle of music, I might reach more people, and I began to contact unknown and well-known singers in Germany. As expected, my messages were ignored!
Then I discovered Thir13een on the internet. I was blown away by his voice and didn’t hesitate. I sent him a message and explained that I needed a song for my online petition. Within minutes he replied and said, send me your lyrics, which I did, and he responded: I’m ready if you are! I couldn’t believe my luck and was overwhelmed. Only a few days later, he sent me the finished song, and I was close to tears. Hearing the lyrics that mean so much to me with this unbelievable voice and wonderful melody was a miracle.
Both of us couldn’t predict that only two days after my song’s release, Europe would be facing another war and refugee crisis. While the war broke out, Thir13een was actually recording our second song, BLOOD IS ALWAYS RED!, which is an anti-war and anti-discrimination song.
So thanks to my online petition, I found the most talented producer with an incredibly beautiful, soulful, and touching voice. He is brilliant and feels my lyrics word for word. Working with him is truly a blessing.
Your songwriting is unique; can you tell us your creative process? How does your music come to life?
I think my creative process is a bit unusual. Please don’t laugh. Ok, I have a topic, I choose the song title, I design the song cover, and then the lyrics start to flow…. LOL!
I have been writing and illustrating books since 2014. So one of the most challenging but also exciting parts of songwriting is to keep it short, which is easier said than done for a storyteller.
Wow, that’s fascinating! So, as a writer and songwriter, where do you find your inspiration?
I honestly think that good lyrics come from lots of pain, sorrow, heartbreak, loneliness, and difficult life experiences. I have so many topics on my mind. Let me tell you a funny story.
In 2011, despite having diplomas in web publishing, public relation, and marketing, I was unemployed for months and forced to work in a call center for a Swiss phone company in the billing department. I was taking calls from unfriendly customers who were yelling at me all the time. The only way for me to survive the exhausting hours on the phone was by writing song lyrics. I have always been able to find inspiration and motivation through creativity to survive impossible and hopeless times!
Your music is much more than great melodies and inspiring lyrics. There is a narrative and a beautiful aim behind tracks like “80 Million People!” and “Blood Is Always Red!” Can you tell us more about these two singles?
It means a lot to me that you noticed how these two songs have a deeper message. During the pandemic, people were complaining about all kinds of things, which was understandable but at the same time upsetting for me.
Listen carefully to “80 Million People!” lyrics, and you understand what I mean. The chorus says NOW YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS LIKE TO BE HELPLESS… NOW YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS LIKE TO BE POWERLESS! Listen, and you understand what I mean!
“Blood is always red!” is a song that I wrote during my job at the call center while rude customers were yelling at me for no reason. It was years before the black lives matter movement. I had this title on my mind for over a decade because I have experienced bullying, rejection, discrimination, and racism all my life as a former refugee and foreigner in the heart of Europe.
And to be honest, it makes me sick to my stomach when I witness and experience zero acceptance and tolerance still in 2022! The idea for the chorus “Chocolate matters, Vanilla matters, Caramel matters, All flavors matter…” came last year, though, because I have found my passion for baking, and I didn’t want to use the usual word that everyone knows by now! I wanted something different, and when you listen to the entire song until the end, you understand why I have chosen flavors instead of color.
How important is it to you to be present and active not only from an artistic point of view but also in supporting those in need by pointing the spotlight on situations like the war outbreak in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in Europe?
Extremely important! That’s why I became a writer in the first place. As you know, many people suffer for different reasons and never have the chance or courage to speak out and become the voice for others. When I was eighteen and wasn’t allowed to study or work as a rejected refugee in Switzerland, I knew that I would one day speak out and tell my story. Writing my memoir was the beginning of my writing journey, and I will be the Voice4refugees despite all the rejection and ignorance that I experience day by day.
If you could collaborate with one of the artists who influenced you the most, who would you like to share a song and the stage with?
You know I LOVE British artists. Great music comes from the United Kingdom. I celebrate today’s artists like James Arthur, Ed Sheeran, Tom Grennan, Sam Smith, Craig David, and legends like Tom Jones and Cliff Richard. I had the chance to meet national and international artists like the Backstreet Boys, NSync, and many more, and I always say talent is one thing, but personality is everything.
For me, a kind, humble and honest character is more inspiring than a best-selling record artist. Working with Thir13een has been very inspiring, and I can’t wait until we finally meet in person. He is the full package. A multi-talented artist, exceptionally creative producer, gifted singer-songwriter, and hardworking husband and loving father of two who’s been in the music business since the age of thirteen.
I would love to produce more songs and share a stage with him (@Thir13een, I apologize in advance! Don’t worry, I won’t take away the spotlight from you! Let’s face it, no one can!). The question is, will he want to share the stage and spotlight with me as well? LOL! I’m just kidding.
What are your plans for the future?
I will write, publish and illustrate more books and continue to release more songs with Thir13een. I have lots of topics and messages to share, and hopefully, people will enjoy our upcoming releases as well.
I will also continue to be the Voice4Refugees, and hopefully, one day, I will be able to change this awful refugee law and give innocent victims of the war a fair chance to integrate and educate fully and fairly in their adopted countries instead of wasting and losing precious years in refugee camps or refugee shelters.
Lily it was such a pleasure having you with us today! Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?
Thank you so much for your kind words. I would like to thank your readers for making the time to read this interview and listen to my songs. I hope you enjoy them. “The Stolen Years,” as well as “80 Million People!” and “Blood is always red!” are available on all streaming platforms. Please follow me on Instagram(@lily.amis) or Twitter (@nassimadesign) and let me know what you think about THE STOLEN YEARS. I would love to hear your thoughts.
And last but not least, please keep supporting independent artists. Please support the refugees in your local area and stop discrimination, racism, and hate! Love, acceptance, tolerance, compassion, and kindness are the only way to find peace and harmony! HumanityB4Nationality is my motto!
CHECK THE LINKS BELOW, DISCOVER MORE ABOUT LILY AMIS AND HER MUSIC, AND DON’T FORGET TO ADD HER TRACKS TO YOUR FAVORITE PLAYLISTS!
On my birthday I released my third song project with my featured artist Thir13een. I'm very happy with the first review that it received by the Parisian and Berliner Magazine THE FURTHER!
Here we go:
Our summer continues on the perfect note thanks to our best discovery of August: “THE STOLEN YEARS” by Lily Amis (lyricists) featuring Thir13een (performer), a little addiction from start to finish.
Lily Amis teams up with Thir13een, the perfect combo to deliver a unique and appealing song blending electronic elements with a new kind of retro pop signature. The music offers a message of hope and peace and is fresh air for our ears, especially in this complicated moment.
“THE STOLEN YEARS” imposes itself with an authentic style and an original recipe that will accompany your sunny days. Discover it right now!
I was a music producer who had been struggling to make ends meet. I had produced some decent beats, but I just couldn't seem to make a profit. Then one day, a wealthy music producer told me his secrets to getting rich.
He said that the key was to create a successful beat-selling business online. He showed me how he did it, and I decided to follow his advice. Within a few months, I had created a successful beat-selling business and was making more money than ever before!
In this book, you will learn the 3 secrets of the wealthy producer that will help achieve your dreams of owning a lucrative beat-selling business and becoming a successful music producer. Thir13een
MY 5 STAR REVIEW:
I have studied Public Relations
and Marketing and have a few years of work experience in this field. So I was curious to read this e-book about the secrets of marketing in the music
business written by my featured artist Thir13een.
I already know what an
exceptionally talented producer he is and what a God-given voice he has. But I had no clue
that he also is a great storyteller. What I enjoyed the most was his
honesty and sense of humor. My only critique would be: I wish the e-book was
longer because I enjoyed this fun, inspiring and educational short read. It is helpful and eye-opening guidance for success, not only in music but in
life.
Also, why should a writer drag out a conversation and take time off the reader, when it explains the secret to success in a nutshell? I hope Thir13een will continue to write and publish more helpful and inspiring books.
Knowledge in general is the most powerful tool that protects us from making wrong choices and false decisions in life. Knowledge is the key to success and happiness. Unfortunately, not many successful people like to share their knowledge. They think I had to learn it the hard way, why on earth should I share my knowledge and experiences with others and hand them over my valuable life lessons?
My answer is: WHY NOT? So first of all respect to the wealthy producer who made the time to share his precious experiences with Thir13een and give him such important life and work lessons. But also respect to my featured artist who made the time to write this ebook and give his knowledge to others who may be in the same situation as he was when he had this life-changing meeting with the wealthy producer.
This valuable ebook is the perfect short
read for anyone ambitious who wants to succeed in their field of interest and strength. Get your copy today on Amazon or read it for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Today is the day! My song THE STOLEN YEARS written by me and Vocals by my featured artist Thir13een is out
now! It is available on all streaming platforms!
This time I edited the song video
myself and collaborated with the talented dancer Lily once again. I hope you
like the song as well as the dance video on YouTube.
The videos and images behind Lily
speak for themselves. But there is a deeper message and reason why she is dancing
on my memoir THE STOLEN YEARS IN ZURICH. It symbolizes the way evil and corrupt
people and lawmakers trample on people's life, destiny, and dignity and enjoy
it without any consciousness of the consequences and outcome for the innocent
people they are punishing. They don’t realize that life is like a boomerang. Sooner
or later it will hit them back when they least expect it!
The refugee law with its
impossible obstacles not only stills away precious years but also destroys human dignity as if their life and future don’t matter at all. The condescending way
how refugees' lives are treated like a toy is shameful and upsetting.
The same applies to the horrible
people that made my mum's and my life a living hell for way too many years. I'm
not going into detail about who and how because I don’t want to give away too
much information about my memoir THE STOLEN YEARS IN ZURICH but as I say in my song, we survived the
stolen years. We are stronger than ever before and now is our time to shine!
