I was recently interviewed and here is the interview done by Holly, a Uni Student studying publishing and journalism at the Southampton Institute.
1. Have you always wanted to sing?
Yes, ever since I was little, I always dreampt of being a pop star and I always danced around the kitchen, so yes I have always been singing.
2. Has that influenced your choice of degree?
Yes, I was thinking of going to ACM Academy in Guildford which focused on modern and pop music but Chicester catered more for my classical background whilst also covering pop music, so it was better for me,
3. So are you enjoying uni then?
Yeah I love it, it's great. I'm still loving the student life.
4. How did you hear about UnTapped Talent?
I was looking to record a demo anyway because of my dream and to get it out of my system and I searched for studios in Southampton, because it was my nearest city, and found UnTapped Talent. After recording my demo Matt signed me because he liked the sound of my voice.
5. What and Who influences you music?
Lots! The main female artist is Kelly Clarkson, she is brilliant and I love her sound. Also McFly because their songs are brilliant. I think also singers who play piano and write their own piano parts, like Lucie Silvas. I love My Chemical Romance as well, so I think it's safe to say my taste in influences are quite broad.
6. How would you describe your musical style?
[Pauses] I guess, sort of poppy, I mean I've got some ballads but also some songs more powerful and I'm also a bit punky. Some of the songs I'm working on now are more funky but song like "Strong Enough" set me up with my contract so I'll keep doing ballads.
7. Are the rest of your family musicians?
Yes, my mum and my stepdad, who live together, sing in a choir. My brother loves listening to music, especially Jamirquoi. So yes, they're fairly musical.
8. Your song "Strong Enough" is about your friend's mother who was in an abusive relationship, how close were you to her?
Well, my friend was my ex-boyfriend who I went out with for three years so we were fairly close. She was an open person so although her and her husband are separated and going through divorce she'd still talk about he he used to hit her. I couldn't help but get caught up in it because my ex also told me about what his dad used to do and how he used to be able to hear them and sometimes see them. It's a horrible thing but it touched me.
9. What would you do if your partner started abusing you?
It's easy to say that I'd walk away, so it depends on how strong you are, so it's difficult to say now. I wasn't strong when I was younger, hence "Strong Enough", but now my family and friends would support me 100% so, I don't know.
10. Are any of your other songs about delicate issues like abuse?
Yes, one of them, it's not finished yet, I'm still writing the lyrics but it's called "Holding On". It's about a relationship I've just come out of, when I still had feelings for him when I shouldn't have had. It's about not wanting to let go but having to. Another song, "Free" is half anf half really, it's about other people and also myself. About getting out of relationships and being free.
11. I have read that you might go onto study music further either at uni or somewhere like Trinity, if the chance arose would you drop all that to become famous?
I don't think a masters is a possibility anymore. It all depends on the studio and where they take me because it's where my heart is now. An option is to move to London with my friends and move it along a bit up there.
12. What do you think of shows like X factor-good or bad?
I was going to go in for that [laughs]. I think it was amazing to start off with, the first two years were brilliant but now it's dragging a bit. I haven't watched a single episode this year because I don't think any of them do have the X factor so it's boring. It would be a good experience even if I didn't get anywhere. Plus I want to meet Simon Cowell, that would be an experience in itself.
13. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?
Hmmm...[pauses] anyone? McFly, I think they are brilliant. I'd like to know their inspiration for their music. They've got so many good ideas in their heads and I just want to know where it comes from. I saw them at Wembley I loved it.
14. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Living in London with my friends or with a group of people. Hopefully in the West End or getting on the way to being a well known artist and being played on the radio. Maybe following what the Kooks did, they slowly built it up from local radio and now they're on Radio One.
Which Musical would you like to be in?
Definately Mamma Mia, it's so lively. I want people to be up dancing and clapping.
15. Which music venue would you love to sing at?
Wembley Arena. Let's not lie, it's amazing and the atmosphere is amazing. It would be really scary but you know you've made it then. Also the Joiners in Southampton, Matt knows someone who works there and so might be able ti fix me up with a gig. Look out for me. I'll post a bulletin on Myspace. Gotta love Myspace!
16. What is on your iPod at the moment?
Loads. Obviously McFly, My Chemical Romance. A band called Refrain, their song has been in my head for about 4 days now. Kelly Clarkson, Something Corporate. Also a band called The Academy. I found them on Myspace, they recently won an award and got to support McFly at Wembley. Also the All American Rejects.
17. Some of your tracks on your myspace are covers, some people slate artists that cover songs, what do you have to say to them?
Fair play to them but I agree with covers so long as you've got good ideas and are not ruining the song. If it's respectable then it's ok. I wouldn't make an album of covers because I want to write my own stuff. I've covered Coldplay's "Fix You" and it going on my album but the vast majority of it will be stuff that I have written. So it's ok if you make it your own but don't totally ruin it.
18. You have a section on the NME's website and also on Popworld's site, how does that feel?
Well Popworld, is Popworld promotions and is putting new artists on there so people can vote for them and also buy their tracks. I'm in the top 300 artists at the moment which is great. If you get into the top 10 you get the chance to perform on TV so I really hope I'm up there. NME's page is for new artists so you just open up a page for yourself, a bit like Myspace really.
19. How does it feel when you go onto your website and people have posted really positive comments about you and your music?
Amazing. The last month i've been getting more friends on there and I can't even reply to all the messages, there's so many of them but I do read them. One girl even asked for my autograph which was great. Hopefully, with feedback like that I'll be more accepted when I release my album.
20. What will be your first single release?
"Strong Enough" It got me started. It's getting played a lot but I;m not getting bored of it, just used to it. I want to release something newer but "Strong Enough" got me started so I can release some of my newer stuff later.
When are you hoping to release it?
Hopefully when the album is finished. That should be done in January and I'm also shooting the video for it in January. I want it to be released at a song and a video so probably aroung March, April, Easter time. There's going to be a photoshoot for it as well. For the video I was thinking an empty room in black and white. I'm not about that yet but I'm really excited.
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