Billie will be performing at this year's Dot To Dot Festival in Nottingham - Photo via Billie's Facebook
How long have you been writing and performing music for?
My first gig was in January 2015, and I started writing songs at around 13/14 years old. The other bands playing were super supportive.
How would you describe the type of music that you make?
I'd describe my music as Indie folk, it is one of my favourite genres and has always been something I've been drawn to - It's a style of songwriting that has always come naturally.
What was your first ever gig like and how did you go about getting your name out in Nottingham when you were starting out?
I researched venues around the Nottingham/Derby area and found out popular events that were open to new artists/bands playing. I found The Maze in Nottingham and ended up doing my first ever gig there in January 2015, it's still one of my favourite gigs to date because I'd never sang my original material in front of strangers.
What has been your favourite gig to play in Nottingham?
My favourite gig I've played in Nottingham was Oxjam at Rough Trade last year, it was packed out and a gig which I sang quite a lot of new material at which was really well received. I love that different art forms - music and poetry - were brought together and it created a great atmosphere.
What song of yours are you particular proud and writing and can you tell me a little bit about it?
I'd have to say the song I'm most proud of is either Silhouettes or Him. Silhouettes is a song about mental illness, but turned into one giant metaphor and was actually the first original song I released - It means a lot to me and is one of favourite songs I've written lyrically. My latest song Him is about a girl who is unable to accept that the relationship has ended and keeps replaying the idea of him being with someone else. It's quite different to most of my songs as it is a lot less metaphorical; it gets straight to the point. I love performing it live as its quite raw, haunting and dark. It's one of my favourites I've recorded for my debut EP (which will be released later this year) as I had a lot of fun experimenting with harmonies and layering different vocals.
What can we expect from your set at Dot To Dot?
I'm going to be performing some new material which will be good to finally be able to perform. I've got a new set list organised which I hope people will enjoy.
What other music coming out of Nottingham at the moment would you like to recommend to the LeftLion readers?
Nottingham has so many amazingly talented bands and artists at the moment it's crazy. I'd have to recommend Lowrie, Kagoule, Molly and Jack, Eyre Llew and Crosa Rosa.
What is your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical memory was sitting in the kitchen with my mums dictaphone she used for work. I loved singing Hannah Montana and would record myself over and over until I got the best take. Thankfully I moved on from singing Hannah Montana and started writing my own stuff a few years. I was hoping I could think of a less embarrassing musical memory but sadly not.
What do you like to get up to when you are not making music?
When I'm not making music I love going to gigs and finding new music. I love meeting people who love the same music as me, I feel really at home at gigs. I've started attempting to write poetry lately, it often leads to the little poems I write being used as song lyrics.
Billie will be performing at the Rescue Rooms bar as part of the Dot To Dot Festival on Sunday 29 May 2016.
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