In this micro-interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up & coming stars on the planet. This week we're talking to artists playing at The Great Escape festival in Brighton (19-21st May).

The synth-pop firmament has clearly acquired another shimmering star with the entry of seductive South London singer/songwriter, Wolffe. With three cracking tunes already under her belt (including 2015's stellar 'Shoot You Down' and a mean cover of Drake’s smoove jam ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’), this promising artist is already collaborating with the right crowd, with her latest single ‘Trouble Ahead’ being overseen by ascendant UK producer Draper (Lapsley) and top sound engineer Will Hicks (Bastille, Ed Sheeran).

We caught up with the enigmatic newcomer ahead of her shows at The Great Escape festival to find out what makes this electrifying force of a woman tick:

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TMR: There is a sultry, pop-noir air to your music and you have been likened to FKA twigs and Lana Del Rey. What do you make of these comparisons?

I mean that’s obviously pretty great! They're two of my favourite women in music who definitely inspire my writing and production on so many levels. I think it’s important to recognise similarities but also to make sure you are carving your own path too!

TMR: Who or what has been the biggest inspiration for your music?

To be honest, I think it was my family. I was brought up on Pink Floyd, The Stones and Janis Joplin and while my Dad played piano and used to sing in the house, me and my Mum would be dancing around the kitchen after dinner with the hifi turned up. Music was a really integral part of our family. Rock and roll, soul music, R n B - they loved everything. I took piano lessons as a kid and started writing when I was quite young. Along with drama and english and poetry writing, it was the only thing that really came naturally to me and that I really longed to do.

TMR: Having spent time on both coasts in the US honing your songwriting, what differences did you notice between what’s buzzing on the New York and LA music scenes? And in comparison to the UK?

I think travelling to LA and New York was for me the turning point in my writing. I’d never really left London until that point - I'd dropped out of art school and literally bedroom surfed for a bit between family and friends, songwriting nearly every day and I was getting really restless. I was bored and when you’re bored and broke and have nothing to write about, it sucks. When the opportunity came up to go to NY and LA, it was definitely like a new lease of life. I was really focused and inspired and was meeting new people and seeing places and things I’d never seen. It was really great.

TMR: Who would you cite as your most important influences as a vocalist?

For me, it’s a weird one. For a female vocalist, I didn’t grow up listening to women in particular. I loved Morrissey and CocoRosie and Deptford Goth, bands and singers with interesting voices not perfect voices. I’ve always admired Janis from a young age too. I toured with Blondie with my old band - watching Debbie Harry sing hit after hit, aged 68 was pretty magic. She hasn’t changed.



TMR: What would be your dream venue to play, and why?

Probably Brixton O2 Academy. I’ve seen so many of my favourite bands come through that venue, I know that would be pretty up there on the tick list. Then Wembley obviously!

TMR: Who was your favourite band/artist growing up?

Without a doubt it was Pink Floyd. Dark Side of The Moon still is my favourite record of all time, it does something to me that nothing else has done since. Like real euphoria, bearing in mind it’s a record that Dave Gilmour said was steeped in darkness and explored themes like mental health. It takes me back to my childhood when my Dad would blare it in the car. It’s magic....they’re magic.



TMR: Are there any producers or artists that you’d love to collaborate with, and why?

There’s so many. My inner song-writer would love to write with Max Martin just to see what would happen, you know. My inner artist would love to collaborate with James Blake.

TMR: What can an audience expect from your live shows?

A lot of uptempo tunes. I'm not good at bringing it down a bit live, I hate watching a bored audience (even if they’re interested, but looking bored) so I tend to keep it quite high octane and pace/dance around. Usually with some neon thrown in.

TMR: What does the future have in store for Wølffe?

A lot of music, a lot of shows, a lot of travelling and a lot of fun!

TMR: As we’re a blog dedicated to showcasing emerging talent, can you tell us which new bands/artists you’d like to champion?

Yes, my girl LYZA has the most etherial angelic voice. We’ve been working together a bit recently. She’s one to watch out for. And LL, she’s wicked.

Catch the mighty Wølffe in action at The Great Escape on Saturday 21 May at 8:30 p.m. at Brighthelm Centre.

-Ayla Owen