Give us a little bio about you. I have always loved the creative process of making music more than any other aspect, although I do also love performing. However, I also studied neuroscience at university and through this I became even more fascinated by songwriting and the way that music can influence how we feel. Lyrics, melody and production can inspire such a range of feelings in people from hope and excitement to melancholy and nostalgia and I think being able to create something that can resonate with other people in such a strong way is both incredibly exciting and incredibly beautiful.
What made you go in to music? Growing up I loved singing but I only started songwriting in my late teen years. No matter on the outcome, songwriting is always a beautiful and therapeutic process and the more I did it the more I fell in love with the process of creating music. Performing came to me later on as I used to get very bad stage fright, but as I performed more my stage fright lessened and instead I was able to tune into the excitement and energy performing can bring.
You released your new single ‘You Lost The War’, tell us more about the single. YLTW is a song I was privileged to write with Helen Boulding and Jonas Persson. It’s a song about getting back up when you’ve been knocked down, and I hope it empowers listeners and helps to remind them of their own strength.
Describe the track in two words. Empower ballad
What was the writing process like? YLTW is a gritty and emotional song; writing it could be intense and challenging, as it required tapping into some rather unpleasant memories. However, writing about hard times in life is, I believe, something really valuable because then from that bad experience you’ve woven your own silver lining.
What was the recording process like? Recording YLTW was an incredible experience. I was working in a beautiful studio with wonderful people who supported and brought out the best in me and from it I have memories I’ll cherish forever.
Who did you work with on the single? I was very lucky to work with the incredible Helen Boulding and Jonas Persson both of whom are immensely talented but also hilarious fun.
Will we see a music video for the single? I will not be releasing a music video for YLTW but there may be a video for singles to be released in the future…
Do you have any shows coming up? I am playing for an emerging artists event at Apples and Pears in London on 10th December and The Spice of Life in Soho on 3rd January. I also have some other dates in London tbc.
What else can we expect in 2019? On November 13th I have my second single, Safety, coming out which I’m really excited about. After that I’ll be doing some more performing until my next release in early 2020.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? I’m always up for collaborations as not only can you learn so much from working with others and their different approaches but it can also make it a more fun experience.
Do you play any instruments? I play the piano.
Who are your influences? Birdy, The Corrs, Foxes
How do you get inspiration to write songs? It comes from so many places; books I’ve read, experiences I’ve had or experiences that friends or loved ones have gone through. I also find being around nature inspires me to write a lot.
Where do you see yourself in 5 Years? I’d love to be making more music with people and performing perhaps in some wider circuits.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do? I actually work in psychiatric research so I spend most of my time doing that. However, when I’m not working in either music or mental health I love to be outside around nature and going for hikes or runs.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene? Hurricane acoustic version by thirty seconds to mars
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? To be true to myself
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians, not about the industry, just as an artist? To be true to themselves no matter how much they may be pushed and pulled in other directions
What quote or saying do you always stick by? “Listen to your heart. It knows all things.” – Paulo Coelho
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit? I grew up in the countryside so the south downs haha!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget? Water, my songbooks (for panic / emergency lyric re-reading), my lucky ring (that my sister gave me) and lots more water
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you? I do!
