Amazonica – Favourite Things

Victoria “Harry” Harrison, known by the moniker Amazonica, is a British rock singer, founder of fashion and record label Diamonds x Dragons and “Hollywood’s Favourite DJ”. Amazonica is a regular guest DJ at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, the BAFTAs, the Oscars and the Golden Globes, and has just recently DJ’d the official afterparties for the premieres of No Time To Die, Last Night in Soho and House of Gucci. Amazonica has had two top 40 albums and collaborations with artists such Tommy Lee, Cradle of Filth and the Crystal Method and has toured with Scarlxrd and Machine Gun Kelly. She is a regular curator of playlists for Apple Music and resident DJ at Chiltern Firehouse.

These are a few of Amazonica’s favourite things…

Vinyl Albums

I used to only DJ with USBs, but in order to play at Chiltern Firehouse, you have to use vinyl. I wanted the challenge and the skillset, so I bought loads, and now I’m a total vinyl junkie. If I have a spare afternoon I go digging in record shops, it’s my favourite thing to do. When I am in London, I go to Berwick Street and go straight to Sister Ray to pick up some cool Motown or classic rock, and then I pop over the road to Reckless Records to see what goodies they have too. Playing vinyl changed the way I DJ. There’s a lot of music I would never have found if I just relied on Spotify; I recommend becoming a vinyl addict to anyone out there who has a deep love for music and the history of music. 

Sobriety

I am 11 years clean and sober. I spent the majority of my teenage years and twenties trying to reach oblivion, living my own rock ‘n’ roll nightmare (which I thought was living the dream). I managed to get myself a record deal and write, record and release my first critically acclaimed album during that time, but inside I was dying, and I had no idea how to live without getting hammered or high. I moved to LA by accident when I went over to record a track with Tommy Lee from Motley Crue for his solo album and ended up staying for four years. During that time, I met people who were sober, and they would talk to me about how they used to do drugs and drink to excess. Eventually, I got sick of living my life that way, and these rock ‘n’ roll angels showed me a different way to live. I now truly live the life of my dreams, sober as a judge but mad as a hatter. If I hadn’t gotten sober, I would have died somewhere out there.

Sidney Vicious 

Sidney Vicious, or my boy Sidney, is my Jack Chi puppy. I’ve had him for about a month, and I have to say I wish I had got a dog sooner, especially during lockdown. He makes my life 1000 per cent more fun and joyful. I always loved animals and had what amounts to a zoo growing up; chickens, cats, chinchillas, tadpoles, hamsters and dogs. But when I moved to London, we gave away my childhood dog to a lovely lady on a farm as we didn’t have the space. Safe to say it broke my heart. Then, a couple of months ago, I said to myself today’s the day, life is going by at breakneck speed… get the dog!

One Facebook post later, I was on my way to Eastbourne to pick up little Sidney, who clung onto me for dear life and has been by my side ever since. Well, almost, I had to fly to LA to DJ the Last Night In Soho premiere the day after getting him, so I employed the services of Master Dog, who trained Sidney while I was away. I returned to a puppy-trained ball of love.

My Guitar

I have this beautiful Martin acoustic guitar that was gifted to me for my birthday by the late Paul Allen. Paul was a wonderful, supportive friend and always encouraged me and my music. He thought it was cool that I became a DJ but would always try and steer me to focus on my own music, hence the acoustic guitar gift. I would sing Rolling Stones and Hendrix covers with him and his band in LA or at the Cannes Film Festival; it was a lot of fun. His passing hit me hard, and I cherish this guitar he gave me, looking at it always reminds me to focus on my music and not get carried away with the party. I’ve written some of my new album on it, and it has replaced my bashed up old acoustic. Thank you, Paul.

My Record Label

As all the gigs and touring ground to a halt during lockdown, I finally had the time to work through the numerous layers of contractual nightmares to get the rights to my own music back. I have released two albums before, and both were signed to labels that no longer exist, so as you can imagine this was a painstakingly time-consuming palaver. But, with the help of a lawyer, and my take no prisoners energy, I did the impossible – I got all the rights back of my recorded music and my publishing too. Then, I started my own Record Label Diamonds x Dragons and re-released my Songs From The Edge album; it got great reviews and support in South America. I am now getting my first album remastered to reissue at Christmas, then my new album will come out in 2022. A new start for me and one that wouldn’t be possible without my label.

Enjoyed Amazonica’s favourites? Explore last week’s Favourite Things here.