Tell me a bit about yourself, what have you been up to over the past 12 months?
The last 12 months has been wild for me. This time last year I was gearing up to release “Tangled Up”, finishing my A-Levels and still living in Newcastle full-time. Now I’m based in London, studying music at university – I’ve been able to meet so many incredible musicians and work in some brilliant studios and venues, like Lightship 95 and the Royal Albert Hall. I would never have imagined I’d get to do all this just in the space of a year.
What has been the biggest highlight of making music so far?
Meeting Sam Fender while I was playing in the Lowlights last year is definitely up there. That was such a surreal moment, everyone in there ended up singing together. It was really wonderful and he was so kind to all the young musicians playing. It made a career in songwriting feel even more real and possible.
So how did you first get into making music?
There was a piano in my living room growing up – neither of my parents are musical at all, and they never pushed me to make music, so I saw it as just another game. I’d sit there for hours making up tunes and songs, and when I started piano lessons age 6 I wouldn’t practice – I would just play my own things. I always thought to be a “real musician” you had to be able to read music, which I couldn’t do, but starting at a young musicians’ group called Standing Upright when I was 13 made me realise all these songs I’d been writing could turn into my whole life.
How would you describe your sound?
I’d say my sound is a combination of all the music I grew up around. My dad listened to a lot of classic rock and country, so great song craft is in my bones. My mum’s love of musical theatre and ABBA means I use a lot of vocal harmonies. And the North East folk and trad scene drew me in as a young teenager, so my melodies took that on. Nowadays I’d cite Joni Mitchell, Maggie Rogers, Bon Iver and The 1975 as my biggest influences.
Do you have any pre-gig rituals and if so, what are they?
Usually run around looking for my capo, stress everyone out, and realise it’s in my pocket right before I go onstage. I’m pretty sure my mum has started keeping a spare in her handbag because she’s seen it happen so many times.
What was the process like in writing your single 'Skeleton Crew'?
It’s a beautiful song full of lovely lyrics that I’m extremely proud of, but I actually wrote it about that not so pretty sense of waking up in the morning terrified that your past self said or did something that means all your friends will hate you for ever and ever. It took around 10 minutes to finish because that’s a feeling I get a lot. I didn’t think much of it, but that week my university was bringing together my popular music course and the classical students to work together in bands and write music – they all loved it and we created such a brilliant arrangement that it quickly became one of my favourites.
If 'Skeleton Crew' could be in any film, what one would it be in?
Not a film, but I can see it in Fleabag. You know that moment when she’s wandering through the streets, looking really worse for wear, reevaluating her life? That’s how the song feels to me. But it’s a bit more hopeful than Fleabag in that moment. I’d like to play it to her just so she could feel a bit less miserable about everything.
If you could have any celebrity to be a feature in a music video for 'Skeleton Crew' who would it be and why?
Phoebe Bridgers in the skeleton onesie from the Punisher album cover. It’s only right.
So what is next for you?
I’ve been in the studio working on my next release. I’m not going to say too much about it yet, but I’ve loved being able to play with other real live musicians for the first time. It’s sounding really wonderful, and I love every aspect of it – organising, arranging, working with production, and of course recording myself.
I’m playing both dates of Bestival this summer too, some of my biggest bookings yet – not only getting to see The Darkness and Rick Astley (my fourth time. I am a big Rick Astley fan for someone born in 2005 apparently) but also legends like Mister Maker. I wonder if there’ll be a mosh pit during I Am A Shape.
By - Katie Graham
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