Interview : Singer-Songwriter Ettie Talks to Us about her Latest Release, Marty McFly

1. We want to know the artist behind the art. Please tell us a little bit about the journey with music.

I started releasing music in 2019, with my debut single ‘fast cars and airplanes.’ I initially started out a pit more ambient and synthy, heavily influenced by Pale Waves and James Blake. As I kept developing my sound I realised that I loved leaning towards pop-punk. Pop-punk and emo music was the spark of my songwriting journey. I always loved writing and I’ve been writing stories literally since I learnt how to write, and then when I started to listen to bands like Paramore and Fall Out Boy and Greenday, I realised I can write songs and story-tell at the same time.

My release of my song ‘I’m Sorry to my Exes’ was a real turning point in my career. It was the heaviest pop-punk inspired song in my catalogue, and my first some to loudly proclaim ‘I’m queer.’ Ever since then my journey has consisted of making really gay, really emotive music.

2. Your latest single, ‘Marty McFly’ has just come out. What did you set out to achieve with it and what do you want your listeners to take away from it?

‘Marty McFly’ is such a special song to me, because it captures an emotion I’ve been carrying for a longtime, and one that is poignant to those in the queer community who were closeted for a long time. It’s this odd yearning to go back in time and tell your younger self that it’s okay to be who you are, you don’t have to suppress it. I gave it such an upbeat, fun production because I wanted to show people that it’s okay to be sad about the time spent not living authentically, because it’s made who you are today something to celebrate.

3. Can you tell us a little about your creative process? How do you go about songwriting and soundscape craft?

I write all of my songs almost exclusively on public transport. I don’t know what it is! Maybe it’s the fact it’s such a liminal, transient space. Like, I am stuck in this vessel taking me from one destination to another, and I have ample time to think. This is where I’ll get a concept or a melody, and I’ll try to record it on my phone the best I can without looking weird to the London commuters. After that I’ll get home and have a listen, and build the songs around that with my guitar in my room.

4. Who are some artists who played a vital role in influencing your style and why?

Hayley Williams from Paramore is my biggest influence. Her songwriting talent from such an early age, her loud political stance and just all-around presence on stage and in the music industry is untouched by any other artist out there. I also have to credit Taylor Swift, I grew up with her catalogue and all of her metaphors slap! And basically any female artist that prioritises lyrics and storytelling.

5. If you had to impart some words of wisdom to upcoming artists, what are some realities that you would alert them to?

Stream counts and numbers aren’t everything! The only numbers you should care about are the people who have genuinely been touched by your music, the people who show up to your shows, and those who care about the art you make.

6. What projects/releases do you have lined up for the near future?

I have been writing so much, and I have a little timeline in my head. All I can say is that there is much more where this came from.

Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator