Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Flossie I’m 17 years old living in London but I was brought up in Scotland - the East coast. I moved here when I was 14. I think it was the perfect time to move because your teenage years are where you want to explore a bit more.
Describe your music in 3 words
Bedroom, mellow and colourful.
Do you write all your own music, and can you tell us a bit about your process?
All the songs I have out are written by me. I don’t have a proper set up, I have an iPad and use my mic headphones to record whilst I play guitar and sing. For the process of making a song, I’ll have thoughts and I have a small black notebook in which I write down things I want to remember, be that little things from everyday life. I have a book of chords and then I find chords that express that emotion in a similar way to the way I want to present the song.
Are there any themes in your music?
Past relationships and feelings. I want my music to be relatable!
Where did all of your musical interests start?
I was probably younger than 10 years old. In Edinburgh there is a big playhouse and my school held some small auditions for singing and I just did it because - why not? I sang and then in the span of a week, I was doing a performance on stage and loved it. I hadn’t done anything for a longtime and then when I came back from a holiday I had an urge to write a song, did it and really loved it. It was a perfect way of expressing how I feel without having to close everything else off.
Did you do Music GCSE or have any music lessons growing up?
I didn’t do Music GCSE, I’ve never had any music lessons!
What A-levels are you doing?
French, Fashion and Art.
What are your uni plans?
This is the conversation I’ve been having with my mum recently! I’m still in the first year of A-levels and because I came from Scotland I don’t really understand the process of applying and only now starting to look into it. I can’t decide whether I want to do Fashion, French or Art. I’m really liking music and don’t know which path to take - at the moment I’m a little lost!
How did your parents take to your interest in music?
At first when I started to put music on Youtube and Soundcloud etc they had no idea! I didn’t tell them at all and it was only around November/ December last year that I said - people are interested in working with me etc. I’m quite a quiet person. They are really really supportive which is lovely and I’m so grateful.
Have you got anything upcoming?
I do yes, I am writing loads of new music and getting a plan together to put some stuff out.
Was there a particular moment growing up that made you decide music is something I want to pursue?
I’ve been really influenced by his music and I grew up next to a family who were so musical. I would go round to their house as a kid and they always had guitars out playing music. My neighbour actually bought me my first guitar and him buying that for me. I felt like I wanted to do this [music] not only for myself but also for other people.
Top 5 Tracks
Recently I've been listening to:
- Bags - Clairo
- New Light - John Mayor.
- Hell n Back - Bakar
- Television so far so good - Rex Orange County
- Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Ultimate goal?
I would absolutely love everyone who listens to my music to just enjoy it. My ultimate goal is to make everyone happy.
What other interests do you have outside of music?
I love painting and drawing, fashion design and reading.
Do you have any favourite artists? How have they inspired you?
I love Henri Matisse and the reason being is that when he started to fall really ill, he still continued with his passion. I love that message that nothing would stop him from doing something he loved. When he fell really ill, he made one of my favourite pieces called ‘The Snail’ and if you look in the very top left hand corner there is a little cut out of a baby snail which you don’t necessarily notice and I’ve always loved it.
How do you get your influences for songwriting and music?
Everyday life and hearing other people's perspective on things. I’m usually always surrounded by my friends - when it's not quarantine. We all have a lot of trust in each other and I love hearing about their days, feels and little things like that. It inspired me because I don’t just want to live in my head I want to hear about other people's thoughts.
How has quarantine impacted your creativity?
If I’m honest it’s been a good thing because it’s given me a lot of time to put my head down and start to realise what I want to do in my life and how I want to go about things. It’s really good for my creative side and talking to lots of other artists this time has given them the chance to create incredible things.
How would you say that growing up in Scotland and London has impacted your music?
I was in Scotland from when I was a child to a young teen. I feel that that was the perfect amount of time to have my childhood. I grew up in the East of Scotland in a tiny village and feel that I am able to look back and find inspiration to write songs about it e.g. that time we jumped on hay bales. The change was so drastic from Scotland to London, I felt that I could express myself as the change was massive but really opened my perspectives.
How has social and digital media helped with your success?
I am very grateful for the platform that I have, and that there is something out there which allows me to put out my music. At first, I doubted whether my music would get many views. It really helped me find myself. Social media is very special and although there are dark sides you need to look at the positives sides to it and realise it has helped so many people in so many ways.
If there was anyone in the world that you could collaborate with, who would it be?
Oh, Beabadoobee.
For more check out: Flossie on Soundcloud
Instagram: @flossiebetty