Say hi to our final Unsigned 2022 artist Lfay.
This busy 19-year-old from Dickleburgh is juggling the programme with her Open University studies, working full-time as a teacher’s assistant at a SEND school and running her own small business Blue Tiger.
Q: Tell me more about your music
A: My sound is very experimental with a lot of different influences citing Amy Winehouse and Dirty Dike to Biggie Smalls and Mac Miller.
I’m currently working on some new music influenced by the free party scene. I’d say my music is hip-hop/ jazz.
Q: Tell me about your songwriting process
A: I’ve always written and always thought my lyricism is my strong suit. I don’t really have a process, I just whack a beat on and it just kind of spews out.
Q: Where does your passion for music come from
A: I didn’t come from a musical background. I never studied music or anything like that as I was quite a troubled kid. But that’s a story for another time.
I was always singing 24/7. Apparently I would sing in my sleep. my little sister got a pink microphone for her fourth birthday and I would put on gigs in the front room for my mum. Since that day it just stuck.
Q: How old were you when first started performing
A: Cliché, but honestly as long as I can remember. I did my first “performance” at my primary school talent show in Year 4.
Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you knew you wanted a career in music
A: I never really thought a career is music was realistic, so didn’t really chase it. I just carried on making music and one day just thought “I’ve got nothing else to lose” and put it on internet. When that got a good reaction I carried on.
Q: How do you feel when you perform
A: I get well nervous. I’m quite a confident person but in this situation I’m not at all. I’m getting use to it though, it’s just so fun.
Q: Where may people have seen you perform
A: I’ve performed at Maui Waui Festival in 2021
Q: Why are you taking part in Unsigned
A: A friend works there told me to apply! Like I said, I’ve no real background in music and didn’t really have any clue what I was doing.
I thought it would be a great opportunity to actually take it seriously and get some guidance. My stage presence has already grown within the small amount of time I’ve been a part of the programme!
Q: What are you looking forward to the most
A: The studio time. I think it’s a great opportunity to work with others and obviously get the guidance from the mentors.
Q: What’s next after Unsigned
A: My plan is to just keep writing, keep making music and hopefully get some more gigs. I’ve got two EPs in the works current and a few singles!
Listen to Lfay‘s music on Spotify and Instagram.
Gabby Meadows is our Participation Programme Manager who looks after our musical programmes.
She said: “Our four performers have been working on their material, performance style and branding since they joined Unsigned in the autumn.
“They’re now gearing up to head into the recording studio to record their first single before Easter.
“They have already given us a taste of what’s to come in a café gig at the end of last term and it was so exciting to hear them live at that point.
“All of this hard work is building towards a final showcase gig at The Waterfront in July.
“We have four really distinctive artists on board this year – each producing really fresh and exciting music.
“They are being mentored on all elements of the music industry by Millie Manders, fresh from her UK tour with her band Millie Manders and the Shut Up.
“Jasper Milton is an experienced songwriter and producer and a member of the band White Rose Movement.”
Gabby’s grateful to Youth Music for supporting our music provision. Projects like Unsigned wouldn’t be possible without their funding and endorsement.
She added: “Taking these artists on a journey from building up their skills and confidence, through to giving them the platform to really shine as musicians and performers is something we are extremely proud of.
“We can’t wait to see what the next few months has in store for Unsigned.”
Millie wais also looking forward to watching our new cohort grow and develop at The Garage, with all the resources once again available.
She said: “While working remotely with our unsigned artists throughout Covid was largely successful, it was very challenging.
“Being back in the room is exciting, enabling us to better get to know our artists and their music and delivering high quality sessions on performance, songwriting and music business.”
New mentor Jasper added: “I’m very excited to be working with these multi-talented songwriters on the Unsigned programme. All have varying strengths and areas to further develop throughout the year.
“Stagecraft, arrangement, sound production and hook lines are just some of the topics we will be covering while developing their live and recorded performance techniques.
“We’ll also be helping them to develop their branding and logos which they will be utilizing as they develop their online presence.”
We are now accepting applications for September.
If you wish to considered for selection, please send links to your music, any performance footage, a bit about yourself and why you’d like to take part to [email protected]
Our summer term of classes starts on 25 April. Click here to check them out.
Our friendly front of house team is happy to answer any questions. Give them a call on 01603 283382 or email [email protected].
Keep up to date with everything we’re up to by signing up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
about youth music
Youth Music is a national charity investing in music-making projects that support people aged 0-25 to develop personally and socially as well as musically.
It works particularly with those who don’t get to make music because of who they are, where they live or what they’re going through.
Projects funded by it break down barriers at all stages. It helps children develop an early love of music, provides diverse role models, introduces young people to a wide variety of potential career paths and works with the music industry to make its practices more inclusive.
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