Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?

I’ve been singing since I was old enough to speak – possibly not in that order! I started gigging professionally when I was 14, alongside my dad (who’s a cellist) and my love of performing has always been what’s driven me. I’ve been singing in cover bands for years and in 2020 I decided I didn’t just want to sing other people’s songs forever – time to start out on my own. I contacted some friends who had just set up a music production company (Moonwalker Music), and we got in a room and started writing. Once I’d started I knew I wasn’t going to stop.

What is the favorite song you wrote and why? 

My favourite so far is yet to be released…you’ll all be able to hear it on June 25th! I am beyond excited to share it with people – it moves further down the ‘dance pop’ path that ‘Fine On My Own’ started on and I think it’s going to be a real summer tune!

Who are your all time musical icons?

I was named after the ‘Queen of Jazz’ herself – Ms Fitzgerald. So it would be remiss of me to not drop her name in at some point. However, I think I’ve been more strongly influenced by modern soul-pop singers, such as Adele and Sam Smith. Voices you can dissolve into and drift away on. Alongside that though, I’ve spent most of my gigging years singing Motown music, so the Queen that is Aretha Franklin also has to be put on this list.

What are some things to do to keep yourself inspired?

To be honest, inspiration strikes when inspiration strikes. It comes from everyday situations, from big events, from emotional experiences – from life! So I don’t think there’s anything I actively do to keep it alive other than continue to live…

Who are you binge listening to these days?

Tom Misch! I only recently discovered the album ‘Geography’ and now I can’t stop listening to it – it’s my morning soundtrack.

Favorite movie or TV show?

Movie – I’m a big Marvel fan. I love to geek out on a good comic book movie! TV shows – if I want something I can chill to then it has to be ‘Friends’. It’s a classic for a reason. However, I recently watched an HBO series called ‘Succession’ and I genuinely think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV – the acting, the writing, everything. If you take nothing else away from this interview, at least remember to go and binge ‘Succession’ as soon as you can!

Tell us about your latest release and how it came about

‘Fine On My Own’ is essentially a song about having escaped a toxic relationship, which is exactly how it came about in the first place unfortunately – from personal experience. It’s a song about realising your own worth and escaping something that you don’t deserve. Both this and my next release are focussed on empowerment, and that’s really the feeling that I want people to take away.

Do you have any peculiar pre or post show rituals?

There is a specific drink that I order (yes, it’s alcoholic – shock horror!) that I highly recommend to any singers who want a small helping of dutch courage without damaging their voice. It’s rum and pineapple juice – rum because dark spirits are better for your vocal chords and pineapple because it has antiseptic qualities so, as far as I’m concerned, that basically cancels out the alcohol, right?

What’s the future looking like for you?

Writing. Recording. More singles. LIVE SHOWS! If you couldn’t tell, it’s the last bit that I’m most excited about. I had my first covers gig in 15 months on Saturday and it truly gave me back a sense of purpose that I really only get from being on stage. I’ve missed it so much!!

Who inspires your style and aesthetics?

I don’t really base my ‘look’ on anybody. I like to keep things colourful but my style is really just…well, me.

What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?

Releasing my debut single in January this year. I think because it had been such a difficult year mentally, having all of my creative work taken away from me, and I’m just really proud that I still had the drive to start out on my own and start releasing my own music. Gotta take the wins when they come!

What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?

I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer that yet because, let’s be honest, I’m still figuring that out myself! I also don’t know that there is a ‘best way’. There are so many ways to do it now, especially with so much of the music industry being online – and I think you just have to do it in the way that suits you as an artist. I love performing and singing live for people, so that’s what I’m aiming for. Others are being discovered through TikTok! The most important thing is just to know who you are as an artist and what it is you want to say/do with your music. Then pick an avenue that works for you.

What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?

What’s really struck me is that artists work incredibly hard to get their music heard, and to gain streams, and they receive so little in return. I think the biggest thing that needs to change is that artists need to be paid fairly by streaming platforms – simply put, it is far more difficult than it should be to make a living from releasing music right now.