Tell us about your upcoming album, the defiance of a sadgirl, set for release this September. Does it symbolise the move in a new direction? What was the writing experience like? What do you hope it instils in the listener?
It was a cathartic experience to write the album, as I had just been through a tremendous amount of change in a short period – having broken up with my boyfriend, moved country, and separated from my label and management, all while my mum was in hospital. Coming off the back of those experiences, I had so much to say and so many feelings to process!
It’s in part a break-up album, (three break-ups!) and an exploration into the journey of life, its constant ups and downs, and the sense that even when we feel like we’ve ‘arrived’ at a point of balance, some curveball will come back around and the cycle of growth and healing begins again. I wanted the album to feel like a slice of time, and not to have the huge pressure of it being a big ‘debut album’, but rather a collection of songs that mark a period of my life. I hope listeners can relate as I describe the universal experience of existence and the ups and downs of life.
I read online that the writing and production of the 15 tracks on this album taught you to back yourself as a producer, as well as a singer-songwriter.
I think very often I doubt myself as a producer because, in reality, I’m not technically that skilled, but I think a lot of being a producer is just trusting your taste, and being able to listen to your intuition. I’ve always been an avid music listener, so I know what I like, and very often when I produce, I will pick elements from other music I’ve heard and try and emulate them to create something that feels new and is reflective of my individual taste.
I think especially when I went into the studio with Bricknasty, who acted as instrumentalists on the project, I had to be decisive and not get intimidated by the fact that they are far more technically skilled than me as musicians, and continuously remind myself that the choices I was making were my own and that was enough. They didn’t have to be the most complex decisions or the most musical, they just had to feel like me and had to align with the sound I was trying to create.
It’s difficult sometimes when your skill level doesn’t necessarily match up with what you want to make as an artist, but I believe that’s part of the journey and process, and you have to remain grounded in integrity and trust that you will eventually get to where you need to go with practice and perseverance.
What can we expect from your All Together Now performance with James Vincent McMorrow?
It’s going to be a very fun experience as I’m performing with someone I’ve admired for a very long time! I feel honoured to be sharing a stage with him, and even more honoured to have created something together!
What’s your favourite lyric from a song that you love?
I love the line from Frank Ocean’s ‘White Ferrari’ — “I bet we’re taller in other dimensions / You say we’re smaller and not worth the mention” – the lyrics combined with the melody do something to me internally, and I just love how it says so much about the relationship between the writer and the person they’re speaking to without being blatant about it.
