What inspired you to begin a career in music?
I have always been quite a creative individual, and loved music and singing from a young age. I would write songs even though at the time I didn’t see them as songs as such but more as stories. It wasn’t until I started to play piano that I realised these were lyrics all along and I was able to bring them to life with melodies. I began to perform at small competitions through school and when I performed for the first time in front of an audience not only did I love every minute of sharing my music influence and voice with these people but even winning just the school singing competition made me realise that this was the career for me.
What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry?
I have never been able to put my sound into one genre, I feel I have always had a mix of Pop/Soul/R&B and even a little bit of Indie, I am quite versatile vocal wise as well and I think that’s why I don’t like to put myself and my music into one genre. Not only do I write for myself and my stories but also I love to write about the people around me and their stories to help them get across their feelings and emotion. A lot of my songs I feel resonate to many people and I want people to feel the music and listen to the lyrics like I am talking to them but in song and not just in the background. For me it is about my lyrics and song but also for people to feel the emotion I am trying to get across for themselves.
Your latest release ‘Ain’t Worth The Fight’ is out now. Can you please describe the creative process and explain the meaning behind the single?
This song was written and produced through lockdown and therefore all done over zoom, I wrote it alongside the producer I was working with. I already had a vision of what I wanted to write and what the song was going to be about and how it was going to sound but I did not put any words down until we had figured out the feel of the song with the guitars. I mapped out a few buzz words whilst listening to what the producer was working on and throwing ideas of how I wanted the first verse to go. I wrote the song over two days, during the sessions but also continued to work on the lyrics after the first session. Although it was over zoom I actually thought it was a great, it made my lockdown better and kept me moving forward knowing that I was able to work on at least one of my visions.
This song I feel would resonate with so many people, for me it is all about empowerment, being with someone is about giving them time and effort but also that being reciprocated. For a healthy and successful relationship this should be priceless and not about materialistic items, don’t allow someone to confuse you into thinking that a diamond necklace is the same as them enjoying spending time with you. At the end of the day if you feel like you are constantly fighting for someone who wont fight for you, then it is not worth it. Be the stronger person and realise that you are better than this or you will be the one who’s time is wasted.
Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future?
When I am having a bad day I actually go for a walk and listen to music and usually it puts me in a better mood, I am able to space out and just be surrounded by music that I love. I also blast my own music (especially ‘Are You Ready’ it just gets me pumped) that I am either working on or already finished to give myself that boost of confidence, knowing that I love what I do and the more I work on it, the closer I will be to my goals.
In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote? What makes you say that one?
This question I would say is really hard to answer, as every song I have written have been very meaningful to me. I honestly don’t think I could say just one, each song has been a part of my life story so far and therefore there isn’t ‘the most’ meaningful one. Although each song is slightly different, one being a slower maybe more ballad type, whilst another being more upbeat and a pop feel. The words in all of my songs mean a lot to me and always will, so I guess I could say the ‘most’ meaningful song is the next song I write because it happening right then and there for me, it is closer to me at the point in my life. If it’s just happened or a feeling of something that has happened in the past that has caught up with me.
Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments? Those moments that you stop to reflect and can’t believe you are where you are?
I think my biggest WOW moment was when I sang at a gig that I headlined and the whole room was filled with people, these were people I knew but also many people I didn’t know. I stood on the stage, and just thought this is such an amazing feeling knowing that all these people paid to see me sing, to listen to my music and knowing that only one year before, I was singing to a room maybe full of ten people max. It was amazing to know that I was moving in the right direction and my music was really getting out there to more than just friends and family.
What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
My advice and this would be something I would have wished to have known a year or so ago is not to jump at the first thing that is thrown at you. Do your research, make sure you know what you are getting into, if this is paying for production or PR or anything. Maybe try and do it yourself first, learn the basics, try and get an understanding of the industry and network! Networking through social media with people who are in a similar boat to you, this for me has been the best thing that I have ever done. Not trying to work with the biggest producers in the world but link with people, if these are producers, songwriters anyone who are doing the same as you to break into the industry because at the end of the day they will work their bum off to write/produce and help you make the best music as this will benefit them as much as it will benefit you.
What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist?
I am currently working on my first EP which I am looking forward to and looking into touring around the UK for the EP and maybe for the launch of it depending on the UKs situation next year. Obviously due to Covid and everything going on, I have been doing a lot of online live gigs and will continue to use this as a platform as I do feel it is something that will continue even after Covid. My aim really is to continue pushing my music out there and reaching more and more people and I feel that even if I am unable to tour, I will promote further with online streams if this is organised by myself or others and other artists, as it is all about adapting to the situations around us and I know that many people who are big fans of gigs and music will be interested in watching more live streams if at the time they will be unable to physically attend them.
Did you learn any new skills during lockdown?
I learnt so many new skills during lockdown, it gave me patience and time to really work on things that I had never thought I would ever be able to do. I was able to edit videos, this included a lyric video that I created using a make-shift green screen. Not only this but I have been able to work on the basics of production which I was clueless about before lockdown. I think that the time I was given has really made me realise that as long as I put my mind to it and work at it and actually make the time for myself I can do anything I want.
Anything else you would like to add?
For any other upcoming artists who are really struggling through this time and worrying about not performing at gigs I just want to say to keep on going, do not give up. There are many ways of pushing your music out there, organise your own online gigs, stay active with your fans, keep on writing music. Just use this time to work on yourself as an individual as well as a musician.
‘Ain’t Worth The Fight’ is available now via all major platforms.
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