Album set to be released in April
Amber Watkins
Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School band and choir director Amber Watkins has released a single called “I Know” that is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and other online venues.
Watkins described the music as Hyperpop, and takes advantage of technology that has become available relatively recently in her long music career.
Watkins said she turns 50 this year and thought it was a good time to release a single under her real name.
She has released singles and albums under other names – Amber Zoot, for example – mostly rock and roll and pop, and in her youth, when her hair was dyed purple and pink.
A classically-trained clarinetist, she is “releasing under her real name to see what comes of it.”
Watkins is working on an album, with a tentative release date in April, although with marching season coming up, it could be pushed back.
Over her career, she has performed all kinds of genres, including classical, jazz, pop and rock.
As she grew up in Robbinsville, she said she was obsessed with pop culture and read anything she could get her hands on about the subject.
“I was a disc jockey here in town (at WCVP) when I was in high school,” she said. “What a long gone generation, huh? My name on the radio was ‘Amber Lynnette’ and my friend and mentor, Ida Ruth Millsaps by the radio name ‘Maggie Rose.’
“She has reached fame and stardom as radio personality ‘Nikki Thomas’ and ‘Maggie Rose’ is long since gone.”
She went on to perform classical music in Europe with the Sound of America Honor Band & Chorus. From there her travels took her on tours of the United States and Europe.
“It was a big, wide circle,” she said. “I’ve lived a big life. I’ve lived the dream and done some great things.”
Now, she yearns for creative outlets that are more collaborative and don’t require her to stay out past midnight.
“I can’t play clubs and bars,” she said. “It’s not appropriate for a woman my age.”
Her children have also sat up and taken interest.
“The kids are finally not too cringy and relate to my music,” she said.
The album she is working on has influences from a wide range, including the Eurythmics, Nancy Sinatra and even Bollywood.
Technology allows her to produce music with a wide gamut and AirPods allow listeners to hear the result.
Technology also allows musicians to perform in different locations with their tracks blended in with others.
“You don’t have to be in the same studio,” she said.
Watkins even plans to reproduce some of her old pieces with the new technology.
“This is my haven,” she said.
In a Facebook post, Watkins said, “Well, guess who hit stores a month early?!?!! ‘I Know’ is on iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon, YouTube, as well as here on Facebook Reels, Tiktok, Instagram and other social media platforms. Go buy and get bopping."