by chris richmond
photo by brad tyler
Connie Talbot — it's a name that might sound familiar to our UK-based readers, even if she looks a bit different to the last time we saw her. If the name itself hasn't jogged your memory, perhaps the words Britain's Got Talent and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” will — although she first found fame as the runner-up on the very first series of Britain's Got Talent way back in 2007, Connie Talbot is back, and she's a very different person to the one who toured the world before she was even six years old all those years ago. The new Connie is much more modern, and now, at 22 years old, she's making a mark for herself that's entirely different to her childhood-persona. Connie has just released the first single from her new EP, “Easier Pretending You're Dead,” and it's as dark and brooding as the title suggests. She's found a sound that suits her and that she believes in, and although she's always had a voice, a massive one at that, it feels as though she's finally found her voice. We spoke to Connie about the artists that have influenced her new sound, the memories that linger from her time on Britain's Got Talent, and what her aspirations are for her future.
You say that “Growing Pains” is an ode to your younger self. What do you mean by this? What's the inspiration behind the song?
Connie: “Thanks Unclear for talking with me! ‘Growing Pains’ for me is definitely an ode to my younger self because when I wrote the song, I really wanted to capture how I was feeling in that moment. I had just moved out and started my first ever adult EP and it was going to be released independently, so there was this sense of independence and also pressure to get this right by myself. I was so lucky to have a career as a child and I find it hard to kind of live up to those achievements. Growing up in general and in the music industry definitely had its struggles, highs and lows, meeting incredible people, and some not so much [laughs]. I realized that everything has kind of led up to this point and everything has led up to this freedom of being able to write about anything I want to. There is this pressure in general, I think, to have your life together in your twenties and I just wanted to write about how everything happens for a reason and how we are still allowed to grow and there is still room to change and evolve.”
How did the song come about? What's the story of its creation?
Connie: “I wrote ‘Growing Pains’ with Emily Philips and Ant Whiting and we were talking about the struggles and the highs of growing up and for me in music.
To tackle such a deep huge emotion to put into words felt impossible, but after talking and Emily literally writing things down as I was speaking, we managed to spin that feeling on its head and make it positive. I wanted to create something different. I'm used to ballads and it pushes me out of my comfort zone which I really like.”
"Easier Pretending You're Dead" — What can you tell us about that track? How did it come about?
Connie: “Thank you! The EPYD seed first came about when I was in my flat in Liverpool and I came up with this chord progression which was SO dark. I have always been quite head strong (I'm a scorpio) and whenever it's time to say goodbye to a relationship or a chapter in my life, I usually just rip the plaster off and cut ties. It's something that I like and dislike about myself [laughs]. ‘Easier Pretending You're Dead’ is meant to be a lighthearted way of saying 'it’s over' and we’re never going back.”
What inspired this foray into original music?
Connie: “I have been writing songs ever since I can remember. I used to post songs I used to write at home on YouTube and always had a passion for songwriting. I always, always wanted to put out original music. At the time, I was still a kid and everything of course needed to fit in with that narrative. Now I'm an adult and I have more experience in life, there’s so much to write about. The first couple of years of my adulthood was in lockdown, so as life became a bit more normal, I just thought, what am I waiting for?”
Was it easy selecting which songs to go on the record? How did you know whether a song was right or not?
Connie: “I think I have learned to just go with my gut on most things. The four tracks on the EP mean so much to me. The whole process of writing to having final tracks has had this theme of going with the flow and my gut feeling and I think that's how it was decided in the end. I also had friends and family listen to demos and the whole process in the meantime, and these songs were the ones that seemed to stand out.”
How did you first discover the gift for songwriting?
Connie: “Thanks so much! I think the first song I ever wrote completely alone was when I was about nine on a little keyboard. It was definitely cringe [laughs].
When I was about 11, I had a trip to LA and somehow got to write with Toby Gad who wrote ‘If I Were a Boy,’ and I was completely starstruck the whole time. I played him this song and all he said was ‘...nice’ [laughs]. We wrote together and I was just in awe the whole time. At the end of the trip, Toby said to me that he forgot that I was eleven and that he really believed in me as a singer/songwriter. So that was the moment, where I really felt like THIS is what I want to do forever. Toby was a big inspo for me. I really love the idea of making your emotions into something you can listen to and revisit. It really helps me draw a line under it.”
What’s your process when writing a song?
Connie: “I usually try to start with a chord progression that is giving the feeling of what I want to write about. I do write about other people's life- which I rarely ever tell them haha. After that, I sing some melodies in gibberish and then try to work out the lyrics. In this EP, me and Emily really spent a lot of time tweaking lyrics. For me, I love when lyrics just flow and say what were trying to say.”
Who are your musical inspirations? Who's on the musical moodboard for your own music?
Connie: “Big inspirations for this EP were definitely Billie Eilish. I love how cinematic and powerful her songs are production wise. We really liked having sweet but dark melodies which I think were definitely influenced by Lana and old classics like Bowie for a future song to come out on the EP.”
What are your lingering experiences from Britain's Got Talent? Was it positive for you?
Connie: “It almost feels like a dream for me because I can't remember the whole thing.
I find it hard to believe that the little girl on BGT and me are the same person [laughs]. I think it is challenging to become your own artist/person after being a little girl who sang for fun. Having the passion for music has really been the thing that has pushed me to go into an original career. I will always hold that time in my life close to my heart, but I would like to say goodbye to ‘Over The Rainbow.’ It's where it all started, and I will always be grateful for the highs and lows.”
What would you advise for anyone thinking of applying for a similar type of show?
Connie: “I'd say enjoy it, and stay true to yourself.”
What are your memories from touring around the world? What did you learn from the experience?
Connie: “I have so many incredible memories touring around the world. I met so many amazing people who still follow my music now — which blows my mind. I think it was so good for me to be able to perform so young. I'm not sure I would have the confidence to be on stage if I hadn't had all that experience before.
I spent a lot of time in Asia, the US touring and every audience was so kind and so welcoming to this little girl, which I am so grateful for. It really gave me confidence and a passion to perform live. I can't wait to perform these new songs live.”
What are your goals and aspirations as a musician? What would you love to achieve in the future?
Connie: “I already feel so lucky to have people listening to my music today, and to be accepted for closing a chapter in my life and opening up a new one. I'd like to be known for an original song, that would be nice, a little update in the life of Connie [laughs]. I also want to release an album of originals, which I think is casually happening in the background. To also do gigs and perform these songs live is something I am hoping is going to happen soon. It blows my mind that I can do what I love to do every day, release songs that mean something to people. Big or small, I just feel very lucky.”