November 19, 2024

Hi Amy, 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?

Thank you! I’m so excited to share my journey with you. Looking back, it’s been a winding path shaped by two passions: soccer and music. I was born on a U.S. Army base in Japan, where I was given the nickname “Amiko” by my Japanese caregiver. It means “precious little girl,” and it’s a name that still carries deep meaning for me. My family moved frequently during my early years—first to Washington, D.C., and then back to Minnesota, where I grew up.

As a child, I was drawn to both sports and the arts. During Minnesota’s long winters, I spent hours writing poetry, drawing, and playing the flute in a small creative space my mom set up for me. But as soon as it was warm enough, I was outside playing every sport I could, especially soccer. That love for soccer led me to the University of Minnesota, where I played on the Division 1 women’s development team and helped win two Big Ten Championship titles.

After college, life took me in new directions. I pursued a career in business, and eventually moved to Dallas in 2012. It was here that I found a new purpose in coaching youth soccer, sparking a passion for mentoring young players and building programs like I have in the Dallas area.

Then came the pandemic, a time when everything paused, and I found myself rediscovering my love for writing. What started as poetry quickly turned into songwriting, and before long, I realized that music was becoming a second calling. Now, I’m blending both passions—soccer and music—into a career that feels like the truest expression of who I am.

Hat Trick, Sean Finn Remix, released on all streaming platforms

Blending Soccer and Music: A Unique Journey

Soccer has always been my foundation. After years of coaching and mentoring young players, I co-founded Futsoul, a program designed to bring soccer directly to schools and underserved communities in Dallas. Coaching has been incredibly fulfilling, but during the pandemic, I started exploring a creative side I hadn’t tapped into in years. It began with journaling and poetry, which soon evolved into songwriting. I poured my experiences as a player, coach, and translated poetry into lyrics that told stories of resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery, while always utilizing my love and knowledge of sports to add a hook or chorus, little nuggets that are sports clippable.. Encouraged by friends, I connected with Jason Dauman, a music promoter who believed in my value and potential music artist.

The Amiko Project and “Reckless”

Through Jason, I began collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Carlos “Jackies
Boy” Battey, whose talent and mentorship have been pivotal. Together, we created The
Amiko Project, a musical venture inspired by my life in soccer. My debut single, Reckless, has already seen success internationally, climbing charts in the UK and France and gaining attention during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Looking Forward to the FIFA World Cup

I’m now setting my sights on the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, where I hope to bring my music to the stadiums at matches held at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. It would be a dream come true to perform live at one of the biggest events in sports, combining my two worlds—soccer and music—into something truly special, but that’s going to be a high bar, so time will tell whether it can happen that fast! I’m excited to see where it leads next. Whether it’s through music, soccer, or both, I’m determined to keep inspiring others to follow their passions.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Not at all! It’s been a road filled with twists, turns, and plenty of obstacles. But those challenges have shaped who I am today. For instance, launching my music career while staying committed to coaching soccer hasn’t been easy. Balancing two demanding worlds, while also raising my daughter and managing day-to-day life, has often felt like an uphill climb.

Recording music was another steep learning curve. The logistics of traveling to Miami to work with my producer, Carlos Battey, instead of having a studio nearby in Dallas, added complexity. There were times when I questioned whether it was all worth it. But every time I doubted myself, I reminded myself why I started.
Then there was the technical side of entering the digital world. From learning how to distribute music online to promoting it through platforms and social media, it felt overwhelming at first. I faced my fair share of epic technology failures! But each misstep taught me something valuable, and I’ve grown through those experiences. And of course, the pandemic threw a curveball at everything—halting our Futsoul soccer programs for a while and forcing us to completely rethink how to engage with the community. Those were tough times, but they also gave me the space to reconnect with music and start The Amiko Project, which has gone well beyond a project and settled into running an independent music label, managing high volume tasks and promotion, social media and strategy.

So no, the road hasn’t been smooth, but I wouldn’t trade the challenges for anything. They’ve taught me resilience, flexibility, and the importance of leaning into my passions no matter how bumpy the journey might get.

Streaming on Spotify, the Ed Bowers Sports Career Podcast

Amiko’s New Hip Hop Remix of “Signs of Life” by Blackwell, a US Army Veteran, Amiko supports our troops and military veterans, as she was born in Japan on a US Military Base

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Absolutely! What I do is really a reflection of the two biggest passions in my life: soccer and music. On one hand, I’m a grassroots soccer coach who’s spent over a decade mentoring young players and helping them develop not just their skills but their confidence and resilience. On the other hand, I’m an electronic pop dance artist crafting songs inspired by my journey in soccer and life. Together, these two roles allow me to express who I am while connecting with people in meaningful ways.

What sets me apart is the way I’ve been able to combine these two worlds. I’m not just a coach or a singer—I’m the first soccer coach to launch a career in electronic dance music with a multi-genre approach: pop, dance, house, deep house, roch and country pop. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of because it reflects my belief that we don’t have to limit ourselves to one passion or one identity.

Through my soccer program, I’ve worked to make the game accessible to as many kids as possible, especially those in underserved communities. We take soccer directly into schools, ensuring that players can participate where they already spend their time. This approach has allowed us to connect with a diverse group of families and help kids fall in love with the game in a supportive and fun environment.

In my music, I bring the lessons I’ve learned from soccer—teamwork, perseverance, and the highs and lows of competition—and translate them into songs that inspire and energize. My debut single, Reckless, reflects that balance of passion and determination, and seeing it resonate with listeners around the world has been an incredible validation of my goals and objectives in life. I think what truly makes me unique is that I’m not afraid to dream big or take risks. Whether I’m on the soccer field or in the recording studio, I bring my authentic self and a sense of purpose to everything I do. At the end of the day, I want my work to inspire others to embrace their passions fully and unapologetically.

Find Amiko Streaming everywhere:  linktr.ee/Amiko_streaming

Find Amiko on Social Media: linktr.ee/Amiko_SocialMedia

Learn more about Amiko and her story, merchandise and blogs about soccer, sports and music at: https://www.officialamiko.com

Live for The Thrill

Amiko’s original single, out on all streaming platforms is a rock, electronic stadium Anthem that tells her story about her deep love of the game and her personal soccer story of what it feels like to play in a major stadium and win! The only acceptable moment to be an “i” in team rather than we is when the championship has been taken by scoring a last minute goal to win the game!