After recently returning to deliver her stunning singles 'Good' and 'Ocean' this past year, Birmingham-via-Bristol-based artist Genevieve Miles is back once again with her breezy new effort 'Tough Love'.
Capturing more of that sweet and shimmering folk-pop aesthetic she has been developing since she first emerged, 'Touch Love' makes for a beautifully warm and inviting listen. With her heartfelt voice layered across a vibrant production from start to finish, she is continuing to cement herself as one of the more passionate names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
This is a bit of a cheat answer, but I think the thing that first drew me to music was the words - I completely fell in love with lyrics, they were always the first thing I liked about a song when I was a kid and I was obsessed with writing my own. I would write songs on the back of my hands in lessons haha.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My parents both always had music on wherever we were - my favourites on dad’s MP3 player were probably Dire Straits, The Kinks, Linda Ronstadt. Me and my mum had Kirsty MacColl and The Waterboys’ CDs we used to sing in the car.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I bought myself was Speak Now by Taylor Swift (I love pop music!!). I was 10, and I got up super early because it arrived in the post and I lay down on the floor and listened to the whole thing start to finish and just soaked it all up - it felt like such a grown up thing to buy my own music.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are so many!! Definitely, Seabird by Alessi Brothers or at the moment Big Town Girl by Cameron Avery - it makes me feel so much!!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’ve been falling back in love with writing with other people recently, it’s so fun when you’re both so into it and bouncing off each other - it’s like the funnest game to get to the end and feel like you’ve both got something off your chest, you form a special connection doing that.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Marlon Williams, Little Simz, Joan Armatrading, CMAT, Letta Mbula.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Florence and the Machine!!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Surrounding yourself with people who have music in their soul. The powerful pull that music has, it’s like coming home.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Having to use social media to promote yourself - I definitely wouldn’t have instagram if it wasn’t for that.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t let this mean old world stop you from believing in magic.
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Genevieve Miles' new single 'Tough Love' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.