Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Gutierrez.
Hi Amber, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in South Texas (the Rio Grande Valley to be more specific.). Being an only child allowed me a lot of time to myself. I gravitated towards music and singing in particular. I remember being too shy throughout childhood to develop a true sense of direction with music. I didn’t excel in much of any way in high school. It wasn’t until after graduating that I finally began to find my own voice. I studied English in college and began writing. I picked up guitar and started learning. With little skill, I started playing at local coffee shops in the area. That’s where I met some of the most influential people in my life and some of my best friends to this day. Although the music scene in my hometown wasn’t ideal or opportunistic, community found me and helped me develop a great foundation for music and my love for it. That’s where I played in a band with my best friends and where we helped each other grow.
I moved about five hours north to Austin a year and a half ago. It was a hard goodbye but the warmest welcome. My time here has been filled with community and inspiration beyond what I could have imagined. That’s not to say that there haven’t been moments of solitude. I moved alone to a city where I knew no one, but this also allowed me to finally step into my own and distinguish who I am when no one else is around. I think for this reason, I was able to discover what kind of music I want to make and what feels most authentic to myself. I think that’s what I am searching for ultimately – how I can feel most like myself and how to express that through song. When I start to feel lost or doubtful, I can always find inspiration throughout the city at open mics or friends’ shows or even by simply taking a walk around the lake. Now, I play intimate shows around the city accompanied by my acoustic guitar and honest lyrics and hope to continue growing as a songwriter, musician, and performer with the help of new friends and a welcoming audience. I’d say my younger shyer self would be proud of my small achievements.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. I’d say “chasing dreams” comes with its own struggles in itself. It is such a fun experience in so many ways. Playing music in a new city where doing the thing is actually celebrated and encouraged is exciting. I get to consistently meet new people and listen to their stories and have experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. However, I think anyone who is creating anything faces a level of self-doubt at one time or another. The questions of “why am I even doing this?” or “am I even enjoying this?” start to rise, for me at least. it’s easy to fall into it in times when feeling uninspired. There are periods of time where I feel so uninspired to write. It’s a frustrating feeling that I’ve tried to push through, but I’ve learned to let myself rest when the words refuse to come. I’ve found that focusing on other elements of my life helps with all the rest. It’s a balance between pushing myself and letting myself rest. It’s the decision to give myself a little grace for the work I’ve put in thus far.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I tell stories through song. I write honest lyrics over finger style acoustic guitar. I hope to inspire others as so many have inspired me. I’d like for anyone who hears my music online or in person to feel seen. I am proud of the progress I’ve made overall, stepping out of my comfort zones and pushing myself to create more authentically.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think I am the luckiest person in the world, but I am also a very faithful person. I owe everything to God and the family I’ve been blessed with. I have the most supportive family and friends who lift me up and humble me all the same. I’ve been blessed with a passion for music and the ability to express that passion with others. To ask for anything more from the music than the ability to share it with others seems irrelevant. I’ll always work towards my goals. I’ll always be an artist whether the audience is big or small. I’ll play for anyone who listens and listen for anyone who has a story to share in return.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambersjambers/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambersjambers
