How did you become an ambassador for international charity Global Angels?
I first performed at a charity gig in aid of them when I was 16 and was just really inspired by their ethos and work. I knew from then I wanted to be involved. I put on and performed at my own charity gig in December 2010 with Bluey Robinson, raising money for their Water for Life campaign. Shortly after Molly Bedingfield, CEO of the charity, asked me if I would like to become an official ambassador of the charity and I was honoured to accept!
Tell us about your publishing deal with Phrased Differently?
I was first approached by Hiten Bharadia of Phrased Differently, at Shoreditch House, This is Wired where I was performing, supporting Rizzle Kicks, Clement Marfo and The Frontline in September. I officially signed to them in April this year, and am now really excited to be writing for my upcoming E.P, out in October. I’m particularly looking forward to being part of my first ever writing camp for SM Entertainment, writing for US/Japanese and Korean pitches.
Are you influenced in any way by your Persian heritage?
I’ve always been very proud of my mixed heritage and the amazing history and culture Persia has, with its famous poets, art and music. Growing up with both Western pop and Persian traditional music has really influenced my way of thinking and writing. I love the poetry of Hafez and Molavi and some of their themes often inspire me when I write my own songs.
Can you tell us any stories from your time spent at the Pineapple Performing Arts School?
There are so many! I had some of the best times as a teenager at Pineapple Performing Arts School and it was the first place where I felt completely myself and accepted, and they really encouraged me to grow as a performer. I’ll never forget one of my first singing classes there with Daniel Thomas – I was made to improvise and freestyle in front of the whole class for the very first time and it was completely amazing. Also, the crazy shows we would put on each term – hairspray, quick changes, shoes and props flying around frantically backstage before you’d go on for each number, and of course the weekend when Madonna filmed her video to Hung up in the downstairs studio while we were all in our classes. It was just a really fun, cool and creative place to be a part of.
Who do you most admire in the music industry?
I think Emeli Sande is such an amazing female artist and songwriter. I really admire and respect her determination and strength to stay true to who she is, and become so successful as a songwriter, before becoming an artist in her own right. I think her vocal delivery is so powerful. I really love the intelligence and story-telling within her lyrics, which I think can be really brave in today’s music, where there can be such pressure for quick hits.
What was the last gig you saw?
Actually last night. I went to see a fellow Phrased Differently artist and writer Andreas Moe at the Ballyhoo – performing a really beautiful acoustic song.
What’s in your fridge right now?
Not nearly enough fruit! It shamefully comprises of Red Bull, mini Twix, Lindor chocolates, copious amounts of Swiss chocolate (from Easter with our family in Switzerland) milk, goat’s cheese, chicken, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate juice and the Persian staple – pickled gherkins.
What has been your most memorable moment so far?
I think probably playing for the UEFA Champions League Final private party on the mainstage of the Roundhouse, in front of all of the UEFA and Fifa officials, supporting the amazing Texas. It was such a lovely evening and then I was invited to the match the next day, which was incredible. I got to take my dad, who is an avid football fan, and watch Messi play just metres away! I officially became a football convert.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
I am naturally and impossibly accident prone, so there have been many embarrassing moments! When I went up to Manchester to film a live acoustic performance for Our House TV, an online show, I managed to step back and knock over one of the huge camera lights, which came crashing down, almost starting a domino effect on the others. Thankfully we did manage to save them in time though. I don’t think they’ll be letting me anywhere near their lights anytime soon…
What are your plans for the rest of this year?
I’ve got quite a few exciting performances coming up over the summer. I have an industry showcase for PRS at the Metropolis Studios on Tuesday 29 May; Hop Farm Festival on Friday 29 June; Secret Garden Party on Saturday 21 July and, of course, the West London Living Summer Party on Thursday 14 June! I’m also going to continue writing a lot for my forthcoming E.P. and hoping to make a writing trip to Sweden in the next few months.
What are you most proud of and why?
I’m a closet geek, so probably getting four As and a distinction in my A Level results and graduating university with first class honours and winning the prize for ‘best overall student’ while juggling trying to start my own music career – signing my publishing deal a few months after I graduated from music university made it all worthwhile. All the nights spent staying up until 5am to finish my dissertation, because I had been in writing and recording sessions suddenly didn’t seem so bad.
How do you relax?
I love films and am also a closet bookworm. Sometimes there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book, but I also love chilling out with friends, watching a good movie and eating too much.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Cadbury’s Dairy Milk – a whole bar… Actually multiple bars, teamed with endless chick flicks.
