INTERVIEW: BBC Introducing's Laurel

While we are all rummaging in the reduced section in Sainsbury’s, or desperately trying to maintain an air of dignity after those photos of us puking in a flower bed come out on Facebook. Other young people are making names for themselves. In the good way, rather then the sleeping-with-everyone-in-your -halls kind of way.

One example of this is Southampton born Laurel, who is part of BBC introducing, the project to support undiscovered talent. The Soton Tab caught up with her to talk music, supermarkets and how much we all love our mums.

How long have you been writing and performing?

I’ve been singing since I was really young, and started messing around with writing at the age of eleven, but I started to take it more seriously when I started playing guitar at 14.

So you’re part of BBC Introducing, how did that happen for you?  

Just like everyone else! We submitted my work to the website and after a few singles they picked up on some of the songs and started to give me some awesome support.

What’s it like hearing yourself on the radio? 

It’s awesome, it’s a little surreal I always forget how many people tune in to the radio and sit thinking only a a hundred or so people will hear my song.

When I heard you on Radio 1, they said that you were originally going for a more acoustic feel but then your Mum told you to liven it up a bit, is your Mum quite a big influence for you? 

The song was written about 3 years ago on the guitar when I was doing mainly acoustic stuff and I had a soundtrack from my friend Shadow Child, and it was my Mum’s idea to put the songs together, we both thought she had gone mad at first. She is a huge influence on my life yeah, I think everyone’s mother is.

Who are your other influences? 

Bjork, Florence and the Machine, Arcade Fire and Karen O.

Is it hard juggling being a 20 year old and a up and coming artist? 

No, I don’t think so it is my life and I love it. Sometimes I think it’s a very serious way to have spent my early twenties and teens but it’s really fulfilling.

What’s your favourite night out in Southampton?  

I’m more of a pubs sort of girl, all the clubs are a bit nuts for me.

Are you more an Asda or a Sainsbury’s girl? 

Let’s go for Waitrose, they do those caramelised biscuits

What’s your favourite outlet in West Quay food court? 

 I haven’t been there since I used to work at Hollister on the weekends. Never again!

Topshop or River Island? 

 I’m more of a Zara.

Want to hear more of Laurel, check out her BBC introducing page