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 was born in South Wales, in the Rhondda Valleys. My dad is from Gibraltar so I have a strong connection to the rock too. I have always sung for as long as I can remember, I have also been encouraged musically and dramatically since a young age. Music has always been there. I find it emotionally painful if I go a certain amount of time without singing, whether that be in the shower, on my piano or in a show, recording, professionally etc.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I originally wanted to study Opera Singing in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. When I went to an open day for that course, I was on a tour of the building and heard the noisy drummers and percussionists in the other room. I quickly realised I cared more about drumming than I initially realized. Then acting became very important to me. I thought the only way to at least choose singing and acting was to apply for drama school on Acting/Musical Theatre courses and so I auditioned for all of them I could find (mainly in London) for two years. After loads of rejections and actually some nasty experiences, I found the Actor Musicianship course at the prestigious Rose Bruford College, and from getting a place to graduating, I just knew it was the course for me. I loved every second. I was guided through acting, movement, music and stage combat sessions, supported, encouraged and above all else, I got to act, sing, dance AND play drums!! It was epic!
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I always remember having a very multicoloured musical upbringing. I was quickly introduced to Welsh legends such as, Tom Jones, The Stereophonic’s and Charlotte Church. This quickly escalated into Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Sting, The Police, ACDC, Dolly Parton, Pink, RHCPs, Queen, Bob Marley and The Wailers and many many more. Music was pretty much a constant in my family and was the backing track to car journeys, bath times as a little girl, garden BBQs and parties. I was regularly encouraged to disappear into another room with my current choice of CD in my little blue Walkman and create dance routines to ‘perform to the adults’… arguably I am STILL encouraged to do this but I have a leg to stand on when refusing now that I am professional and get paid to do it haha! To round this question off, I think as much as famous and well known artists influenced me, closer to home, my incredibly talented Mam and Grampa Kieth influenced me massively. My mother is very musical, plays piano, cello and every other instrument she can get her hands on and my grandfather has always sung with Pendyrus Male Voice Choir. As a family we would attend their concerts and gala evenings and I actually was a guest singer at a few too. Visiting Gibraltar so often encouraged the more percussive side to my music for sure, I was surrounded by calypso, reggaetón and I suppose, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and lots of saucy Spanish/Mexican and even African music.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Night Bus’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Night Bus is about being a young creative in a big city with life getting in the way of that creativity. Working 40 hours a week, burning money on everything apart from your career, going around in circles and seeing the worst of a city you thought would give you your big break. As a young Welsh Actor Musician, I experienced this when deciding to finally leave London and move home to the Rhondda. It was a difficult time, because after all, everyone says you won’t be successful unless you’re in the City. That was not my experience at all. I was so tired. When I did have time, I would be burnt out from work or supporting other musician and actor friends in shows and gigs I couldn’t really afford to go to. It’s as much about imposter syndrome, not feeling seen and feeling empty as it is a celebration of picking yourself up, getting off the night bus and making that leap back home to reset and allow yourself time to find your passion again.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I am working on my next big challenge. I enjoy the creative process of learning from what works and what doesn’t when trying to find my unique sound. I think Night Bus is certainly closer to the type of artist I am. I am excited to work on more original music whether that be my first EP or another single. I would like to go back to basics and see how stripped back I can go whilst still keeping the production and vibe similar. I have had a few more life experiences I want to write about over the last few months so for now it’s lots of journaling, coming up with little catchy melodies and letting it all out in a safe space with friends. That usually forms a song idea so hoping it’ll work it’s magic once again!
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: A brilliant question haha! I like that my music (although catchy and fun to bop along to) routes from real life experiences I’ve had. For example, I haven’t really written a love song yet because I only believe I have experienced being in love once and it was so long ago now I can’t remember what it all felt like. I enjoy writing about my ‘now’. Hence, Night Bus being so relevant and accurate to how I felt when moving out of London. As well as that, I am finding confidence in my drumming abilities and therefore songwriting as predominantly a drummer. I am being honest, not shying away from big drum/percussion sounds and moments in my songs and I think that makes my sound unique and fun for people to dance/listen to. I would describe my sound as theatrical, bold and honest for those reasons and hope to continue on that journey to see where it leads me.
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, having only released two songs a year apart, the response to them has absolutely blown me away. I still tell myself it’s because I have the best friends, colleagues and family eveeerrrrrr, but truthfully, when strangers or people on the internet/radio presenters and people in the music industry share or comment on my creations, I get a sense of greater achievement. For me, it’s anything from a like, share, mention, interview, review, request for an interview to find out more, playlist add, download or purchase. It makes it so worthwhile. Most recently, Night Bus has resinated most with my friends who find themselves in a similar position to me. Knowing that and getting private messages from them listening to it after a horrible audition or shift at work and them telling me it’s comforted them on their way home or when they’ve had a bad day means I have supported them when I’m not physically able to be a shoulder to cry on. As a Libra and as someone who puts others first even to the detriment of myself, it’s the most brilliant feeling in the world.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Usually, I will come up with a little melody or a phrase I think is catchy or resinates with me, I’ll record that and not go near it for ages. On a sad day or a day where I need to let out a certain emotion, I will filter through the melodies I think work with some lyrics I have thought of and pair them together, record a new voice note and then try and fill out the idea with a rhythmic underscore. I then contact my guitarist mates or someone I know would match well with the idea and arrange to write with them. I enjoy the creative collaborative process. I think that’s being a drummer though. Having a jam is just second nature to me. Usually a song forms and then I send a recording through to my producer and it goes from there. Studio days are my favourite when ideas really come together. Then it’s becoming your own PR team as an unsigned artist and planning social media, release dates, artwork and image and all the other fun creative stuff that comes along with selling yourself successfully to the right audience.
