Caitlyn ScarlettWell rehearsed in the art of performance, Caitlyn Scarlett spent a large chunk of 2013 performing backing vocals for UK rapper Little Simz.
Now she's hoping to step out into the spotlight and become a household name in herself, showcasing her unique and versatile vocals with honest lyricism and bass-led pop beats.
We got the chance to put some questions to this up and coming artist about her style of music, her new single 'Bad Love' and exactly what she hopes to get out of the next few months.
How best would you describe yourself as an artist?
Eclectic and dark, I'd say I have a knack for picking up on things in life that can be really hard and turning into them into music which is a far more fun way to experience them. I'd also say that I'm a blend of lots of different genres, describing my sound to people can be really hard sometimes as I like to experiment with different styles depending on what I'm writing, or even what I've been listening to at the time.
You've debuted with new single 'Bad Love', what can you tell us about the track?
'Bad Love' is an important song for me, it's the first project I ever did with Ayo so I'm quite attached to it, but it's also written about a very close friend of mine who unfortunately has disastrous luck with guys. Look out for her in the video when it's out, she's actually playing herself which is pretty funny! The hook of the song 'bad love isn't better than none' is actually a piece of advice I've given her many times over the years, it was only a matter of time until it became a lyric. Then once Ayo and I created that bass-heavy beat, everything seemed to come together and I knew I wanted to release as a single.
That song is lifted from your forthcoming EP 'Jurassic Jukebox and Other Drugs' - how did you find the creative process behind that record?
The whole process creating the EP was actually incredibly chilled and very natural. Although there are tracks on there that have been in my repertoire for a long time, a lot of the material was also created on the spot in the studio with Ayo. We'd start messing about with a few musical ideas or showing each other what we'd been listening to and before we knew it I'd be coming up with lyrics whilst he lay down a drum beat.
I also wanted the EP to have the right balance between electronic and organic, 'cause I really feel like a lot of music is over synthesised nowadays. I can recall Ayo and I creating a scratchy sound for a track once by scraping a fork against the bottom of a pan, it did the job though! Good times.
Has music always been a passion of yours?
Music has definitely always been a passion of mine, I was raised in a very musical household listening to all different types of music so I really learnt to appreciate sound, regardless of genre or era. When I realised I could sing at around age 5, I became totally hooked, I sang whatever chance I could get. Since then I've never wanted to do anything else.
What are some of your earliest memories with music?
I think my earliest memory of trying to break into the music world stems from about age 6, my closest friend at the time lived with her grandparents. Her grandfather was the local Vicar and her grandmother ran the school and church choirs. I can remember going to church every Sunday with them, despite being atheist, just because I wanted to sing with the choir. I found the hymns amazing, to a kid that young, the experience of all the voices and the church acoustics seemed almost magical to me.
How did you find the experience of working with Ayo Beatz in the studio?
I love working with Ayo because despite our differing musical backgrounds, I find we work together incredibly well. He really understands me as an artist, but also influences me just enough to add a slight urban flare to everything we create. We always seem to be on the same page and I can't help but pick up on his constant positive energy.
What do you think is important in the world of music?
Originality, without a doubt. I think music tends to mirror the ongoing movements of society. It both maps and influences progress, so I think musicians with fresh and original concepts play a huge part in keeping that alive and stopping history and art from repeating itself.
Where do you hope to be this time next year?
Ambition is limitless but for now all I can say is that I hope to be constantly creating music- successfully, and by doing so, affecting other people in a positive way.
Do you have anything else in the works you can share some details about?
I'm working with some pretty exciting people and have been experimenting with new sounds. Plus, of course the EP has still yet to be released, so I'd say keep an eye out... or an ear.
You can follow Caitlyn on Twitter @caitlyn_scarlet and keep an eye out for her EP 'Jurassic Jukebox and Other Drugs', scheduled for release at the end of April.