Askingfriend

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Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Queen 'Bicycle Race' or ELO 'Mr Blue Sky'

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Nirvana, REM, Blind Melon, Crowded House, Weezer, Florence + The Machine, Counting Crows, Sia, P!nk, Jamie T, Elbow, Amy Winehouse, Ben Howard, The Black Keys...

What inspires you to make music?

The experience of recovering from mental health problems after many years.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Emotional turmoil is something everybody goes through, but you can't see it from the outside. We need to be more empathetic and understanding towards one another.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I struggle with anxiety and shame/dysphoria. I am not a "live" artist.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

It is easier than ever to share music. It is therefore harder than ever to stand out and be able to make money from it.

What do you think of Drooble?

Everyone seems nice & encouraging, it seems like a safe space to share things. I like the global/multinational element. It occurs to me that mainstream music largely excludes anything not in English - that should not be the case in the modern world.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

Female hip-hop artists who perpetuate the misogyny endemic in that genre. Iggy Azalea and Nicky Minaj are the two best-selling examples. It's tragic that they don't seem to question the ethics of the male dominated scene and continue to rap about cash, guns, cars, bitches etc as if they don't aspire to anything other than the braggadocio of disrespectful men. I'm also frustrated when I hear famous artists say they only "write at the studio." I know everyone's creative process is different, but it does have to be some kind of process! Personally, I can't decide when the need to create/express will take over, or when the seed of an idea will begin to germinate. Hey, maybe that's what separates an amateur from a pro, but some songs take me months to finish.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Yes, there are some great artists and bands in Chelmsford/Essex and lots of live music venues.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Humility: to listen, consider and incorporate the advice they're given, because sometimes it's hard to get honest feedback to help one grow as a musician (that's why Drooble is so good). Persistence and politeness in order to promote oneself.