Tell us how you got into your artistic career
I have been singing and performing since I was young, growing up studying musical theatre and dance, as well as playing the guitar. I’ve spent many years on stage singing the songs of others and connecting to their stories, but through that I realised my real passion was in sharing my own, finding my voice and expressing my personal thoughts and feelings. Songwriting has always been a type of therapy for me, and a constant creative outlet, and it was only when COVID hit and I was unable to travel for work that I felt it was time to put all my energy into crafting my sound and releasing my own music.
What’s special about this last release and why it’s important to you
This is my debut solo release so it means a lot to me! It’s also been such an important creative journey and has taught me a lot about myself as a singer and songwriter. I’ve collaborated with some special people on the song, and am proud of how we have been able to bring it to life just as I had envisioned. I also wanted this track to reflect where I am in life right now – feeling free and grateful to be able to live my life to the fullest, after a very up-and-down last couple of years. This is the first release from my upcoming EP, so it’s really introducing a side of myself and hinting at what else is to come!
What do you want your music to say ultimately?
Ideally I want my music to reflect who I am authentically, combining all the different influences and experiences I’ve had over the years. I’m a super nostalgic person and I’ve tried to bring an essence of that into my music as a nod to some of the classic sounds of the past. The music I’ve created has a variety of moods – some songs are perfect to dance and party to, and others are quite deep and reflective, so I’d love the listeners to be able to connect to what I’m communicating in their own way that’s personal to them.
What’s the artist that shaped our creativity if there is one?
There are so many artists that have influenced me over the years! I listen to and appreciate so many types of music, but have always felt especially connected to soul and blues. I was obsessed with Whitney Houston as a child, and would play her tapes over and over in my room, so she is a big one. Amy Winehouse has made a massive impression in my musical life, and I feel her music on such a deep level. I also love powerful female vocalists such as Etta James, Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, and more recently artists such as YEBBA, Lana Del Rey, and Dua Lipa.
What are your goals as an artist?
My goals as an artist are to keep challenging myself musically and vocally, but also to continue to take my creative journey to the next level moving forward. To me that means collaborating with more amazing people, hopefully performing and travelling, and just seeing where else the music takes me. Being open to whatever fantastic opportunities come my way!
