Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I grew up in England, on the North Norfolk coast, in a family where music was encouraged from an early age. I learnt to play the violin and piano from the age of 4, while also singing in choirs at school. I played the keyboard in a school band when I was 11 and our teacher introduced me to ultimateguitar.com, which became my new best friend. I would come home from school, print out my latest favourite song (probably Taylor Swift) and spend the evening playing the piano, until my Mum told me it really was time for bed! Later on, when I was 15, I changed piano teachers which resulted in me moving away from classical piano lessons and learning how to write songs. My Dad used to call them my “teenage angst” sessions, as song writing became a way of processing life around me. This is ultimately the reason I am where I am today, as my teacher’s encouragement and support pushed me to perform and develop as a songwriter.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “LOTTIE.T”?
A: Like any artist, I will be in my little corner of social media posting videos and letting my ever-growing community know what I am up to musically. I also hope to perform at some open mic nights and get out on the road someday for a tour, so lots of exciting things to come. There might even be a merch line, so watch this space!
My music is a place for you to sit in your feelings and not feel alone, so bring a cup of tea or a glass of wine and cry or sing to your heart’s content.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Taylor Swift has always been a huge inspiration to me both in her visual creations and her work as a songwriter. She is someone I look up to who has really perfected her craft. Her work is precise and poetic, as she tells her stories in the most elegant ways that allows the listener to place their own lives within the music. Her hit song ‘Love Story’ was also one of the first songs I learnt to play, so it has a special place in my heart.
My inspiration to create music comes from everyday life and it is one of my ways of dealing with the good, the bad and all the grey in-between. Inspiration often strikes when I have a bit of time to think or when listening to other songs that spark something within me. This particular song and my upcoming EP ‘Flying in the Wind’ were inspired by the aftermath of a breakup.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “TRYING.”?
A: TRYING is a story written in the aftermath of a break up. It follows my response and reaction when I received a message asking “how I was” from my ex-boyfriend. I was trying hard to move on, yet constantly going over the time we had together. But no one ever gives you credit for trying so this song acknowledges you’re trying your best even if it isn’t easy.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Emotional.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “TRYING”?
A: The biggest challenge was finding time to book in the recording sessions. I have a full-time job and my producer is very busy too, so it just took time for it all to come together but I’m so excited that it has and the song is now out in the world. I would love one day to record a version with live strings or a live band, but one step at a time.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: The message is things come our way to test us and we feel stuck in the situation. But time will heal us and one day we will be free, we will be ‘Flying in the Wind’.
I hope that others will relate to my stories and that somewhere, some day it will make at least one person feel less alone in whatever situation they are in.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: There are so many but if I had to pick one it would be Taylor Swift. She has inspired me for so many years, it would be amazing to watch her at work and to be able to learn from all her years of experience.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: From my experience so far my advice would be to do everything at your own pace. It is never too late to try to achieve something you want to achieve. Whether that is finding a producer, releasing music or trying to promote your work, take your time. It can sometimes feel overwhelming when you see people around you putting out an EP, a single or going on tour and you feel you should be doing the same. I’m really glad I waited until the time felt right and I felt proud of the music I’d made. So when you feel ready give it a try because if you don’t try you’ll never know.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: If you want to do something go for it, it doesn’t matter what other people think. It is your life, no one else’s, and if you don’t try you’ll never know. My other piece of advice would be that time is the greatest healer, you will find peace and happiness. Sometimes we just have to go on a journey to get there.
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