Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
I went from playing to like ten people in a pub to playing thousands of people and being in this music industry, you really have to get out of your comfort zone fast.
I absolutely love collaborating with other people, but I think it's so important to always be able to rely on yourself because there are ups and downs in this industry.
I have a song coming with blackbear. He's a huge artist, I would say in the dark-pop scene. He has also collaborated with a lot of hip-hop artists. He's huge on Spotify.
A song like 'Loyal To Me,' for example, I originally wrote that for a girl band in mind, that's why it has so many harmonies and it's got that sort of '90s/R&B feel to it.
From past experience I wouldn't go out with another musician. With song writing people can be a bit sensitive. Something completely different, like a lawyer, would be good.
I only tend to use YouTube for learning difficult guitar things or music videos. I tend to just walk around London and take it all in; there are so many fashionable people.
I try to create an image to suit my music. These days, you have to create your own personal brand as an artist. It's not about just putting music out any more unfortunately.
But I think as you grow up, you realise that actually, if you want to dress sexy there's nothing wrong with that - it's your prerogative as a woman to dress however you want.
I think it's exciting because it pushes you harder to write a great song. Even for established artists, it has to be really good now because people have so many other options.
I live in a neighborhood that's very family-oriented, so I feel like everyone else is sleeping and I'm sitting up, making music. It's just me. It's a nice time to be creative.
I took two years out to find what sound I felt passionate about and what I liked making. After the last album, 'Peroxide', which is quite poppy and acoustic, I felt really bored.
I never want people to know who I'm going out with or about my family. But it's difficult, because when people have seen you online since you were 14, they feel like they know you.
I listened to a lot of female pop music growing up. I started to realize that there were women out there wanting to stay something, playing instruments and writing their own songs.
But then as I got older, I got to know all these amazing artists like Alanis Morissette, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, all these women who are really the creators behind who they are.
I've always been very independent, and I love being able to enjoy different parts of music. It's amazing to be able to hear the sound in your head and instantly make it come to life.
There's even a feature on my website where you can translate messages into codes, so whenever I have any big news it goes out in code first so the diehard fans are the first to know.
I couldn't get gigs because you need to be 18 in most venues. So I started doing videos. I wasn't thinking about getting a record deal, I just wanted to know if people thought I was good.
Peroxide' is a mix of everything I have experienced from the age of 15 until now with themes of break ups, first love, growing up - all the sorts of things that you experience at that age.
Sometimes I fall out of love with what I'm doing, but only for about a week. Once it's over I'm back to thinking it's the best job in the world again. But every job has it's ups and downs.
I feel like in our society there is definitely still a lot of underlying sexism. It's funny how many guys are surprised when you pick up an instrument in the studio, or write your own songs.
I try to create a style that reflects my music. So I would say it's definitely got some '90s elements, some pop elements that are a bit more feminine, and then more indie, androdgynous elements.
Being young and extremely naive and coming from a very sheltered place has been a slight disadvantage to me because in Edinburgh, if you meet someone and they're nice, they just become your friend.
For a date, I'd like to do something different to drinks or dinner - like walking around Camden for a day in the sun, or something weird, like skydiving. Then at least if you don't get on you've had fun.
Then when I was writing alone, I'd just be in my bedroom in London and I had a little studio setup. I was like, You know what, if no one's gonna produce my music, I'm gonna have to learn how to do it myself.
Well, there's this culture on Instagram where everyone uses filters and lighting, or people smooth their skin out. It's this weird thing. We all know it's not real and we all complain about it, yet we all do it.
I didn't grow up with a musical family. My mom had a lot of CDs in the house, particularly Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, ABBA, all the sort of like diva icons. She's Swedish, so she loves pop music.
I do loads of pitch writing as well, where you write a pop song and then pitch it to DJs who can then work with the song, and sometimes they keep your vocal on it. It's just good to be involved in different things.
As an introvert, you have to spend a lot of time with me and then little bits of my personality will come out over time. But as an artist, sometimes you only get five minutes to impress someone, so it is kind of hard.
London seems to be one step ahead of everywhere else which I like because you see things first. It's where British fashion is developed and there are so many little vintage shops and boutiques; there are always loads on offer.
I would say my favorite is probably the 'Colder' video. Just because that sort of brings the album artwork to life. It's not my favorite song on the album, but visually, I think it just came out exactly how I had it in my head.
I've learned not turning things up to full volume is a good idea. Also, because I have the freedom, sometimes when I'm writing a song I'll get carried away with production when I'm only on the first verse, and that sacrifices the songwriting.
I've learned a lot about being in control of your career - and that being positive and believing in yourself goes a very long way. And creatively, the music needs to sound like it's come from you, not someone else who's choosing the songs for you.
My tenth-ever gig was in an arena, which is mad... I remember being backstage with multiple artists there and someone had had their teeth done - like veneers - and I come from a very small village where people are lucky to even have all their teeth.
I had basically been shelved by the record label for two years and I was writing songs every day. I made two albums that just never came out, and that was just a really big knock to my confidence, because everything I sent seemed like it just wasn't good enough.
So I just sat in bed for six months - I literally didn't leave the house - and it was the first time that I'd actually experienced being depressed. I'd be sad on and off but I'd never experienced actual depression. Like, crying for no reason. It was really horrible.
Working with other artists and writers over the past couple years has really given me a clear idea of my strengths and weaknesses and what is unique about me as an artist. I figured it's my storytelling lyrics, falsetto range and tone of voice, so I write songs to utilize those.
Working with other people, it's hard to get them to make it sound like what you have in mind. Also, it's really expensive to get your tracks produced, so I thought if I could learn how to do it myself, I could make five albums in a month and it would be free, it would be me, and it would be everything that I'm doing.