Congratulations on the release of “I Don’t Talk” how does it feel?
Thank you so much. It feels really great having a project out as it is, let alone one that’s a collaboration with such amazing talents Blue Lab Beats.
It’s a four track EP, what’s your favourite track?
When I listen to the project, the song I’m most drawn to is ‘I Don’t Talk’. I think it’s a really fun track on the EP! Sonically, I love the groove and the cheeky feel it has. I also love the subject it’s about and I feel really proud of that one especially.
You recorded it with the incredible Blue Lab Beats. What was it like working with them?
Working with Blue Lab Beats has been the most insane opportunity for me. They have such a unique and recognisable sound so to be able to write the topline to these tracks has been amazing and really fun. Also, whilst in the studio with them I got to witness their musicianship and how they craft tracks, which was so insightful.
Now that all the tracks are released, it’s such a great feeling and I feel very lucky!
What lessons did you learn from them?
When writing the topline to these tracks, I knew the songs deserved an interesting vocal. It pushed me to try and take the melody’s where perhaps you wouldn’t expect it to go. When we were in the studio together, I was always in awe of how quickly David could find each intricate harmony line for my vocal to help give it that lovely Soul/RnB feel. When recording vocals, it was fascinating learning techniques from Namali on how to get a good take, being precise with each word and also how whispering the words over the track can give the vocal this lovely texture.
What’s your favourite memory of the sessions?
Being an artist at the start of my career, going into sessions with Blue Lab as it is has been such a huge opportunity, let alone witnessing them make something beautiful on the spot. My favourite memory from the sessions was watching David and Namali’s musical chemistry and ability to come up with the wonderful moments you hear in the tracks. It was so inspiring!
You’re a singer songwriter from Oxford, how did it all begin for you?
Singing has always been something I loved and always grew up doing. My dad and his side of the family were always musical and I heard him playing and writing music from a very young age. I felt music was one of the few things that came very naturally to me. I studied music performance at college and university but it wasn’t until I was 18 that I started writing music. I have been writing and performing my own Pop/Soul music every since.
What did you listen to growing up?
It was always the big powerhouse singers that I grew up listening to such as Witney Houston and Celine Dion. When I got to a teenager and started studying music, I discovered the iconic jazz singers – Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and the more contemporary – Amy Winehouse. I was encouraged to sing Jazz standards at college and it was something I absolutely loved doing.
You have performed live shows for BBC introducing at truck festival, what was it like getting the call for that?
Truck has a special place in my heart because it’s my local festival and have loved going when I was younger. I remember putting out into the universe that I would love to play Truck 2023 and felt really ready for it. However, I accidentally missed the deadline to apply to play the festival that year. I was absolutely gutted. However, only a few weeks after, I got an email from Dave Gilyeat at BBC Introducing Oxford asking if I’d like to do it and I was over the moon! It felt surreal going and getting the opportunity to play at such a big festival!
Tell us a funny story from the road.
I once did a gig where I played a few songs on piano and then stood up to sing whilst accompanied by my guitarist. However, the microphone lead got caught up around my piano as I stood up. I carried on performing the song until a member of the audience thought they’d be helpful and try and untangle the lead as I sang. They ended up unplugging the microphone and everything mid song. It’s funny now!
What are you listening to at the moment?
Of course I have ‘I Don’t Talk’ by Eva Gadd & Blue Lab Beats on repeat!
As well as that I’m listening to Older (and Wiser) by Lizzie McAlpine, Blue by Joni Mitchell, MARO and Jordan Rakei.
What are you looking forward to doing next?
I’m working on some new music at the moment in the hopes to release it early 2025. I’d also love to perform at some festivals in the summer!
