Inspiration Without Imitation: What Lucca Mae's Journey Says About Finding Your Own Voice

 Photo credit: Farris Photography

EDITOR IN CHEIF | GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Edward Schooley

Founded in 2021. GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE of Tampa, FL Guitar Thrills Magazine of Tampa, FL U.S.A. The GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE is excited to bring you some of the music industries finest talent. Including the world of entertainment. Our focus includes the long term goals and aspirations of artists of all sorts. We are an unbiased reporting platform. You are getting insight into the world of music. No, we are not your fathers website for music news. We have grown into our own, and rely upon decades of music experience and knowledge. Guitar Thrills Magazine is a hard act to follow.

There are few artists whose influence still echoes through modern music quite like Amy Winehouse. Her unmistakable voice, fearless songwriting, and ability to expose every emotion without apology changed the landscape of soul music for an entire generation. Even years after her passing, new artists continue to discover her catalog and find themselves captivated by its honesty.

Lucca Mae is one of those artists.

She has openly acknowledged Amy Winehouse as an influence, and listeners can certainly hear traces of that inspiration. The smoky soulfulness, the emotional depth, and the willingness to let songs breathe rather than chase trends all hint at an appreciation for Amy's artistry.

But appreciation is not imitation.

That distinction matters.

One of the greatest challenges facing any emerging artist is navigating the space between honoring the musicians who inspired them and becoming overshadowed by those same influences. It's an easy trap to fall into. Audiences naturally compare artists who share stylistic similarities, while the industry often encourages comparisons because they're easy marketing tools.

History has shown us that the artists who endure aren't the ones who become the next version of someone else. They're the ones who absorb what they admire, then reshape it into something unmistakably their own.

Amy Winehouse herself was never simply recreating soul music from the past. She borrowed from jazz, Motown, ska, R&B, and vintage pop, yet filtered it through her own experiences, her own vulnerabilities, and her own unmistakable personality. That's what made her extraordinary.

Ironically, perhaps the greatest lesson Amy leaves behind isn't about sounding like Amy at all.

It's about having the courage to sound like yourself.

Lucca Mae appears to understand that lesson.

While her admiration for Amy Winehouse is evident, her music has steadily developed into something that reflects her own journey. Her songwriting carries different experiences. Her performances possess their own rhythm and emotional cadence. Rather than chasing another artist's legacy, she seems focused on building one of her own.

That may be the healthiest way to honor an influence.

Amy's legacy, remarkable as it is, also carries with it a profound sadness. Beyond the awards and acclaim was a gifted artist who faced relentless public scrutiny, overwhelming pressure, and deeply personal struggles. Her story remains a reminder that extraordinary talent does not shield someone from the weight of fame or the challenges that can accompany it.

The music world celebrates Amy Winehouse because of what she gave us creatively, but it also remembers the cost she paid.

Perhaps that's why conversations about influence should extend beyond musical style. They should also include the importance of perspective, balance, and protecting the person behind the performance.

Every generation of musicians can learn from those who came before—not only by embracing their artistic brilliance, but by recognizing the importance of sustaining both a career and a life.

Watching Lucca Mae's career from the outside, it's encouraging to see an artist who appears focused on the work itself. Rather than relying solely on comparisons or nostalgia, she continues to build her own identity through songwriting, performance, and a steadily growing body of music.

We don't know Lucca Mae personally, and it would be unfair to suggest otherwise. But from the way she presents herself professionally and the thoughtful progression of her career, there is every reason to be optimistic. She appears to value the opportunities she has earned and approaches her craft with respect for both the music and the audience. Success in this industry is never guaranteed, and sustaining it requires far more than talent alone. It demands humility, discipline, resilience, and a willingness to keep growing long after the spotlight first arrives.

If Amy Winehouse represents a reminder of both artistic brilliance and the human cost that fame can sometimes exact, perhaps Lucca Mae represents something equally meaningful: the next chapter in a tradition of soulful storytelling, shaped by inspiration but not confined by it. The greatest tribute any artist can pay to a musical hero isn't to become their shadow.

It's to become so authentically themselves that one day, someone else will point to them and say, "That's who inspired me."

About Lucca Mae

Blending timeless soul with elements of rock 'n' roll, jazz, blues, ska, and Americana, Lucca Mae has emerged as one of London's most compelling new singer-songwriters. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as Amy Winehouse, Sam Cooke, and Paolo Nutini, she has developed a distinctive sound that combines powerful vocals with deeply personal songwriting.

Lucca's musical journey has taken her well beyond the UK. After leaving home as a teenager, she spent several years in Australia, where she refined her craft while performing as the lead vocalist in an Amy Winehouse tribute band. She later continued her artistic development in Canada before returning to London to establish herself as a solo artist.

Known for her rich, soulful voice and captivating live performances, Lucca Mae has built a growing reputation through sold-out shows, festival appearances, and international touring across the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Her performances seamlessly blend heartfelt storytelling with vintage soul, modern blues, and infectious rhythm, earning praise from audiences and fellow musicians alike.

With the release of her debut album, The Truth Is, Lucca continues to showcase her evolution as both a songwriter and performer. Her music explores themes of love, resilience, self-discovery, and human connection, delivered with an authenticity that resonates long after the final note. As her audience continues to grow, Lucca Mae is quickly establishing herself as one of the most exciting voices on today's contemporary soul and roots music scene.

INTERVIEW WITH LUCCA MAE AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Guitar Thrills: Many artists begin by drawing inspiration from musicians they admire, but the most memorable careers are built by developing an identity that is unmistakably your own. Amy Winehouse has clearly influenced your musical journey, yet your sound continues to evolve in its own direction. How have you consciously balanced honoring her influence while discovering your own artistic voice?

Lucca: I think subconsciously, to a certain extent, we become what we listen to whether we like it or not! It always amazes me how people compare me to the exact artists I was brought up on. I just think God they really infiltrated my musical style without me even noticing! Amy, Norah Jones, Janis Joplin… These are the women that taught me to sing so naturally my vocal phrasing and technique has similarities. But the beauty is that no two vocalists have the same tone, that is what sets us apart. I make a conscious effort to sing in a way that feels natural to me and I hope that comes across

Guitar Thrills: Amy Winehouse left behind an incredible musical legacy, but her story also serves as a reminder of the immense pressures that can accompany success in the music industry. Beyond her music, what lessons have you taken from both her artistic achievements and the challenges she faced?

Lucca: One of the biggest lessons I took from Amy is that you’ve got to write ‘Frank’ before you can write Back to Black’

Your first album may not be packed full of hit songs, but it reflects the potential that you can be when all the stars align. ‘Frank’ showed the music industry that she had one of the greatest voices of her time and a fresh, honest, witty songwriting style. Something that few artists can convey through their writing. It gave her the exposure which in turn put her in a room with Mark Ronson and the dap kings. This combination was her ‘all the stars aligned’ moment and ‘Back to black’ came to be one of the most legendary albums of all time.

The other, obvious, lesson is how destructive addiction can be to a person. I feel lucky to live in a generation where mental health is celebrated and nurtured. We are very much aware of the toll drug addiction has taken on so many of our favorite artists, throughout history. Losing Amy was devastating but it has taught me to always look out for the ones I love and most of all look after myself!

Guitar Thrills: Artists often spend years trying to answer one question: "Who am I as a musician?" That answer usually changes with experience, travel, and life itself. When did you first feel that your music truly sounded like Lucca Mae rather than simply reflecting your influences?

Lucca: I hope my music has always truly sounded like Lucca Mae! I write what I feel at the time and if I’m hitting a block, I don’t force it.  So it has always been organic. 

Guitar Thrills: The songs that connect most deeply with listeners are often the ones that reveal something genuine about the person writing them. When you're writing, how much of your own life finds its way into your lyrics, and how vulnerable are you willing to be with your audience?

Lucca: Vulnerability is something I still struggle with. Songwriting is deeply personal, and I often find it easier to write about experiences years later rather than when they're still fresh. Sometimes the emotions are too raw to face, let alone share—it can feel like you're revealing your deepest secrets. 

With time comes perspective. Writing about them becomes therapeutic, almost like finding closure. A song gives you the space to face what you've been holding onto, and, eventually, let it go. So yes, a fair bit of my life makes it’s way into my songwriting, even if it just sparks the initial idea

Guitar Thrills: Recording captures a moment in time, but performing live creates an entirely different connection between artist and audience. What is it about stepping onto a stage that still excites you, and how has performing shaped you as both a vocalist and songwriter?

Lucca: It’s certainly made me a much stronger vocalist. Nothing humbles you as much as going on a tour where you are singing every single day, sometimes twice a day. I have learnt the importance of good vocal health, rest, warmups, all that very rock n roll stuff - even if I don’t always stick to it!

Performing has taught me to just be honest in my writing because there’s people out there that are going through the same thing. It’s a beautiful thing, hearing from an audience member how much my music has meant to them or that people relate to the lyrics in my songs. It make it all feel so much more worth while

Guitar Thrills: Every project teaches an artist something new, whether it's about songwriting, performance, or themselves. Looking back over your recent work, what do you think has changed the most about you as an artist over the past few years?

Lucca: I'd probably say believing in myself a little more. I used to be incredibly shy about sharing my original music and would often sing so quietly in the corner of a pub that people could barely hear me. Over time, simply by getting up and doing it again, I've become much more comfortable playing my own songs. I still get nervous, but It feels less like proving myself and more like simply sharing something I love

Guitar Thrills: In today's music industry, artists often face constant pressure to chase numbers, trends, and social media attention rather than simply making great music. How do you stay focused on your craft without getting distracted by everything happening around the industry?

Lucca: I've learned that the art always finds its way into my life, no matter what. Being a self-managed artist means wearing a lot of hats, and some days it feels like a full-time job just keeping everything moving. But the music is the reason I do it all. However busy or exhausted I am, I always seem to find my way back to writing

Guitar Thrills: Many musicians dream of having one successful song, but building a lasting career requires resilience, consistency, and continual growth. When you think about the future, what kind of legacy do you hope your music leaves behind?

Lucca: I hope I can be that artist for young girls—the person who makes them fall in love with music.  I want to be, to someone, what Amy was to me. Everything about her and her music completely captivated me. Her songs moved me so deeply that I knew I wanted to make music and share it with the world.

I hope that one day someone hears my music and feels that same spark—that same passion to create something meaningful. If my art can inspire even one person to believe in themselves and chase what they love, the way Amy inspired me, that would mean everything.

Guitar Thrills: Your songs blend elements of soul, blues, jazz, rock, and Americana—genres where every instrument has an important voice in telling the story. What qualities do you look for in the musicians you work with, particularly guitarists, and how do they help bring your songs to life?

Lucca: Feel. Feel. Feel!

If you don't feel it, how can you expect anyone else to? You could take two incredibly skilled guitarists and ask them to play the exact same piece, but the one who plays with feel will bring you to your knees, while the other will simply be playing the notes. That’s what I love about soul and blues music, it’s not what you’re playing but how you play it

Guitar Thrills: Every artist reaches moments where they pause, reflect on how far they've come, and begin imagining what's next. As your career continues to gain momentum, what excites you most about the next chapter of Lucca Mae's journey, both personally and creatively?

Lucca: I love travelling. I often get comments saying, "Come to Spain!" or "Come to the US!" and I can't wait for the day I can make that happen. Touring isn't easy—or cheap—especially as an independent artist, but it's something I'm working towards. The thing I'm most excited about is meeting the people who have been listening to and supporting my music from all around the world. They've been there for me from day one, and I can't wait to finally thank them in person by bringing the music to a city near them. Creatively, I’m just excited to see what beautiful sounds I can cook up with the right producers. Yeah, I’m excited to keep meeting and working with new creatives.

The music industry has always been built on influence. Every generation stands on the shoulders of the one before it, drawing inspiration from artists whose work changed the landscape forever. Amy Winehouse was one of those rare voices whose impact continues to resonate, not because others have tried to become her, but because she gave them permission to become themselves. Lucca Mae appears to be embracing that philosophy. While echoes of Amy's artistry may be heard in moments of her music, what ultimately comes through is an artist committed to writing her own story. That distinction is what separates admiration from imitation and what gives audiences something authentic to connect with.

We don't know Lucca Mae personally, nor would we presume to define who she is beyond what she presents through her music and career. But from our vantage point, there is a professionalism and authenticity that suggest she understands both the privilege and the responsibility of building a career in music. She seems to recognize that success is something to be earned, nurtured, and respected—not simply expected. If her journey continues with the same thoughtful approach that has brought her to this point, there's every reason to believe that her greatest chapters are still ahead. Not because she's following in someone else's footsteps, but because she's steadily leaving footprints of her own.

A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

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