Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I am from Rhondda in South Wales and have Gibraltarian roots. I have always sung, danced, acted and generally been surrounded by music and the creative arts so it makes absolute sense to me that I wanted to make it a career despite the knowledge of that being very difficult. I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It brings me absolute joy everyday knowing I could be feeling or going through anything from overwhelming happiness to absolute despair and always have music as a form of therapy or support. It sort of acts as a person that’s consistently there to listen and support without feeling like you’re burdening friends and family with things. Because of what music means to me and how it has helped me, I always want to try and create that for someone else. I suppose that’s the reason I write and release songs.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I am currently obsessed with City and Colour, Yebba and as usual Florence, Haim and Pink. At the moment I am finding that working in so many amazing musicals and acting jobs that are set in the 60’s/70’s/80’s, I am actually steering more towards listening to folk/indie singer-songwriter/band vibes. Which is great because I used to be in an indie folk duo and love that music as much as pop rock and soul.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I have been constantly surrounded by music. My grandfather sings weekly in Pendyrus Male Voice Choir, my Grandmother also sings in a Rock Choir, my mother plays Cello, Piano and loves everything music has to offer. Wales is commonly referred to as the land of song too, so when you add that with my more exotic musical upbringing (from my Gibraltarian side) with artists like Bob Marley, Sting, Melon Diesel and Breed 77 – I have been spoiled. Having musical icons like Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Charlotte Church and the Stereophonics paving the Welsh Music scene, it made sense to me to listen to all genres and to take interest in specifically Welsh/Gibraltarian artists. Lots of my favorite songs by these artists talk about shared experiences and themes. The beautiful landscape and people I have been brought up by have definitely impacted my creativity and it is therefore reflected in my songwriting. I suppose, I always felt like I had something to share and say so doing that through music just made sense.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘We Lost Track’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Very basically it is a heartbreak song with a hint of sarcasm at the very end. But on a deeper level, it explains a seemingly healthy relationship I was in and how I gave so much of myself to someone and was met with lies and disrespect. It’s about boundaries and knowing you’re self worth. Acknowledging the sadness of something ending but realising it was for the best. This is my first ballad and I’m so proud of it. It’s about friendship, love and loss. I hope people connect to the song whilst enjoying its subtle but rhythmic shifts and euphoric string arrangements. I have challenged myself and I think the track is beautiful.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: There is another single I have poured all of my energy into that’s being released very VERY soon (almost too soon I really cannot keep up haha). Additionally there may be a cheeky dance remix of Night Bus on the cards for release on it’s one year anniversary (November) but that’s top secret information!! Then I am hoping to spend a few weeks during the summer, writing my first three track EP which I am sooo excited about. I am also potentially collaborating with one of Angel Hotels main writers, Sion Russel Jones as well as taking time out to have a summer holiday with family in Gibraltar, which I am sure will keep my writing juices flowing with the odd gig and radio interview lined up over there. As well as this, I have been cast in a new Actor musician rock musical in the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff in Sept/Oct before returning to the most wonderful Theatre Clwyd for more madness of Rock and Roll Panto over Christmas. It’s very much all go over here at the moment haha!!
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I think my current sound is indie pop/folk. I think the key elements to my music are strong bold vocals, honest lyrics and most importantly, rhythm! I think letting people relax when they listen is great for a while, but I really enjoy the subtle rhythmic shifts and intricate percussion and harmonies/vocals I include in my music.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: At the moment, I am writing like mad, deciding what my overall sound is, experiencing life and documenting it as I go. To be able to release my original music and then connect with other people is massivly fulfilling. So, i’d say, at the moment my expectations are being met. In the future my goal is to gather a live band and start gigging again but this time not as a band or due, on my own. That will really be the icing on top!
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Usually, my process happens over several weeks. I will free write about a topic or story or experience that is on my mind. I’ll usually write words on a notebook or in my phone. I then leave it settle a bit, start singing various different melodies and things, sometimes when driving, in the shower, before bed, when I wake up. i’ll record snippets into my voice notes or little scarlett mic and add rhythmic ideas from there. I then chat to my producer Joe Rodwell and if anything sticks out that he likes we sort of organically (without any pressure on it) start working through zoom. over time and adding ideas and finishing songs that way, we decide if they’re single/EP worthy and then I begin the visiual process of a release/music video/reeel/story in general for the tracks. Telling the story of my tunes is very impotant to me which probably comes from the acting side of my brain.
