By Martin Brisland. Image by David Rutherford.
Amy Jolliffe from the Isle of Wight releases her new single Take Me Home today (October 10th).
The Island has a rich musical heritage. Back in the late 1950s and early 1960s singer Craig Douglas had many pop hits including a number one. In the 1980s Level 42 were very popular with their funk pop sound. Since 2000, Indie band The Bees have supported artists such as Oasis and Paul Weller and had songs used in adverts. Wet Leg are currently of the crest a wave having played a great set at Glastonbury this year.
Following in their footsteps is singer-songwriter Amy Jolliffe from Ryde, Isle of Wight who blends 1960s folk, modern pop, and classic rock. Her retro sound combines rich vocal harmonies, vintage guitar tones and warm, resonant percussion.
Amy was Brave Island’s Young Creative of the Month in March 2025, following the release of her fourth single, Love Is and has performed at the Isle of Wight festival five times.
Amy’s heartfelt lyrics are inspired by real-life experiences, exploring themes of youth, love, and self-discovery.
In March 2025, she was awarded funding from the Mike Howley Trust. Mike worked for many years as Director of Cultural Services for the Isle of Wight Council. When he died in 2013, he left a legacy for the specific benefit of aspiring young actors, musicians, dancers, and writers, between the ages of 18 and 30, living on the Isle of Wight. Amy used the money to record new music at Empire Sound Studio in Newport with producer Dan Ashdown. The excellent Take Me Home is the first of these newly recorded songs and inspired me to check out more of Amy’s output.
Love Is was inspired by social media posts about what love means to her and different people. My favourite was Bud Tree; the lyrics are about two best friends who would meet under their favourite tree. Inspired by the Isle of Wight’s rural beauty the song pays tribute to the town of Ryde where she grew up.
Amy met Olivia Rodrigo in January 2024 when triple Grammy winner Olivia dropped in to her acoustic set at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Yarmouth. Amy said that meeting a musical hero gave her a real confidence boost.
Do check out Amy’s website: amyjolliffemusic.co.uk/
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