Having already received numerous airplays on BBC Introducing Devon And Cornwall for her previously shared cuts, 22-year-old London and Devon-based singer-songwriter Lucy Aggett looks to continue that upward ascent with the release of her latest single 'Sixteen'.
Mirroring the bold and lofty aesthetic of artists such as Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens, the artist delivers a smooth and captivating lo-fi release, filled with all the hallmarks of an songwriter with many tales to tell.
Describing her new release, she said, "This song is about reminiscing the simplicities of being younger, and how quickly it feels like life has progressed. While maintaining the rawness and honesty of my songwriting, I have used piano-fronted riffs and more live-sounding instruments in this song."
So with her name soon to be on everyone's lips in the months to come, we sat down with her to find out more about her influences and what has shaped her as a songwriter.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I first fell in love with piano. I learned piano for 7 years, from the age of 7-14, but unfortunately dropped it and can’t play at all anymore. I think that, and the voice. I think I probably came out of the womb singing! It’s completely second nature to me.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I think that my music is a direct reaction to anything that happens in my life. The people that I love, friends and family, are a massive inspiration for the music that I write. A lot of my music is loosely about missing their presence and trying to overcome that. I think that I love incredibly deeply, and writing music about it is my only way of processing that.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I loved much of the same music I still love today as a teenager. I have my dad to thank for that, as he's shaped my taste over the years. As a teenager, I discovered Bon Iver, who are my ultimate love today. I also discovered Lucy Rose, Daughter and Fleet Foxes. I fell in love with older bands like The Beatles, The Cure, Supertramp and Simon & Garfunkel in my teenage years, too.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
One song springs to mind, which is Amsterdam by Coldplay. It’s the final track on A Rush of Blood, and I remember downloading it onto my first mp3 player when I was 10 and playing it repeatedly. The raw emotion on that song has most likely subconsciously inspired me to transform my thoughts into song. It meant so much to me back then.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Anything that I can sing along to word-for-word. Singing perks me up and helps me get ready for the day. Recently I’ve been listening to Tame Impala’s new LP, The Slow Rush, which is just incredible.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Absolutely every single one of my songs are about people/someone in my life. If I am shy about how deeply personal the lyrics are, I might lie about or animate the meaning slightly – but truthfully, pretty much everyone in my immediate life has a song about them – good or bad!
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
Playing in a small venue in Exeter for Radio 1s Big Weekend, and having Greg James join us on stage. It was surreal. He gave me and my band at the time lots of industry advice – but I can’t remember any of it! Greg James was the first Radio 1 DJ I listened to and loved, so I was quite overwhelmed at the time.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I genuinely can’t imagine a life without music. I would love to use music as a form of therapy for people with dementia or children with disabilities. I think I would have moved straight to that if I didn't decide to study music performance at degree level. I can absolutely see myself doing music therapy at some point in my life.
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Be brave! It’s not easy at all promoting yourself 24 hours of the day. But when you can share your story through music with somebody else, and they connect with it – there’s no other feeling like it.
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Lucy Aggett's latest single 'Sixteen' is available to stream and download now, and you can check it out in the player below.