Exclusive Interview With Amy Pinkus

August 26, 2025

Exclusive Interview With Amy Pinkus

Toronto singer-songwriter Amy Pinkus steps into new territory with her recent single, "Everything We Never Had" (released Aug. 1st). Something that began as a snarky response to theatrics on the internet has evolved into a pop track that weaves wisecracking narrative into sharp cultural commentary. With this track, Amy shows not just how far she's traveled as a writer, but also how skilled she is at transmuting dirty, real-world experience into music that's intensely personal and also very expansive. We talked to her about the inspiration for the song, her writing process, and being a woman in contemporary music and taking up space.

1. "Everything We Never Had" kinda started as a joke, but it developed into this song with so much confidence and energy. When did you realize this song had to be shared with the world?

About halfway through recording, we realized it was too fun not to share. Writing and producing a song I had no plans to release gave me a kind of freedom I don’t usually allow myself. “No one’s going to hear it, so let’s make it as fun and silly as possible.” That mindset ended up shifting the way I approach writing moving forward.

2. The song was the result of web drama and "subtweeting" culture. How did you manage to take something horrible and nasty and create such an inspiring piece of art out of it?

So! This song was inspired by someone in my life who spent years posting about me online and speaking poorly of me within our community. At times it really got to me, but releasing this song feels like finally letting go of that anxiety. Everyone’s dealt with gossip, and a lot of people have experienced “online drama.” This song is my way of saying, “I’m over it—even if you’re not.”

3. You've said that this release is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. How does "Everything We Never Had" symbolize where you are right now in life and in music?

Since the start of this year, my personal life has completely flipped upside down. There have been some highs, but also some really low lows. Releasing this song feels like letting go of a lot of the stress and anxiety I’ve been carrying. Moving forward, I want to lean into playfulness and silliness, and remind myself to “zoom out”—sometimes things aren’t as heavy and dark as they feel in the moment.

4. Your music is so personal yet so universal. Do you ever find yourself becoming more of your own life while writing, or sitting there thinking about how the listener will relate to the words?

Truthfully, when I’m writing a song, everything else around me fades away. Songwriting has always been how I process the people and situations I’ve experienced. It’s only when I start recording that I step back and think about what a listener might want to hear. I’m so grateful—and constantly blown away—by the support people have shown for the music I’ve released so far. There’s no better feeling than writing something, releasing it, and hearing that people relate—because each song feels so personal to me.

5. Toronto is just such a diverse city musically. How has residing in this city impacted your sound and the manner in which you make music?

Being in the city is definitely inspiring. There are so many insanely talented musicians and artists to look up to, and seeing so many live performances has really influenced the way I write. “Everything We Never Had” is the first song I’m genuinely excited to perform, and imagining myself performing it—and the other songs I have coming out this year—around Toronto has definitely shaped the production side.

6. Your brand and yourself both present as unapologetically authentic. How do you strike a balance between putting yourself out there to the music industry and social media and staying true to yourself?

Aw, this is very kind of you to say. I try to remind myself that failure or embarrassment doesn’t define me as an artist. Social media can so quickly turn into a negative space, so I’ve promised myself never to take it too seriously. It’s obviously an amazing tool for connecting with listeners and other artists, and a fantastic way to promote your music—but at the end of the day, I know my music isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. I’m so grateful to everyone who has been supportive so far.

7. Being a woman in the music industry, what have been some of your biggest challenges and how do you hope your journey can inspire other women coming up behind you?

I think the biggest challenge I’ve faced is me against myself. Societally, women are held to wildly unrealistic standards, and I often find myself being extra critical because of that—“Do I look pretty enough in that photo I posted?” Women need each other to stand firm and confidently, and I’ve never felt more passionate about supporting one another. Moving forward, I will continue holding myself accountable to uplift the women around me who face the same pressures and self-doubt that I experience as an artist. We’re not in competition with each other. We’re family.

8. Ahead of time, how does "Everything We Never Had" set the tone for the next phase of your career? Is it an isolated bold gesture, or is it positioning listeners for the sound and stories you're going to keep making?

From this song onward, I want to have more fun with my listeners. With my first handful of releases this year, I definitely felt incredibly anxious, and imposter syndrome was heavy. This marks the beginning of a more carefree era. Let’s dance and kiss and be merry.