British musician Natalie Findlay, known simply by her surname Findlay, is an artist to watch. Her newest single, “Waste My Time,” off of the album, Forgotten Pleasures, is the perfect mix between a great breakup song and the quintessential dance hit. With lyrics like “you say I’m no good but I’ve never been better” and a beat that could play through any European club, it has a turn-it-up-loudly-and-drive-around-the-block-one-more-time vibe. In the song’s music video, Findlay is seen laying in a tub filled with daisies, (’90s nostalgia in full swing) going above and under the water over and over. Like her song it’s simple but mesmerizing.
Below read our exclusive interview with Findlay and watch her video for “Waste My Time”.
Where did you grow up and how did you get started?
I grew up in the north of England in a place called Stockport but I moved to London when I was 20 to really try and crack what I was doing. I started playing guitar and writing music when I was 15, signed my first deal at 17 and then spent a good few years figuring [out] the industry, who I am as a person and what I wanted from myself creatively.
Growing up music was my religion and I didn’t really fit in like I wanted to so writing music was like escapism from the drudgery of suburban living and education.
What was the inspiration behind the single?
All the crappy relationships I went through before I met my man and the full on mess that’s created dating people who aren’t right for you. I’m quite a sensitive soul and take it very badly when things don’t work out. Especially living in a big city like London, it can be a lonely place at times and it’s easy to waste all your energy on negative outcomes instead of taking control and forcing yourself to move on.
How long did you work on the album? How do you feel now that it’s finished?
I recorded the bulk of the album last January in two week-long sessions at Total Refreshment Centre in Stoke Newington and then mixed and mastered those tracks that summer. There are a few older singles recorded earlier on there as well. I’m really proud of all that work and proud of myself for not giving up. Just getting this record out is a huge deal for me. I went through a lot of rejection before I reached this point but my current label (BMG) and the whole team I have around me now really get me and what my music is about and don’t try to change it. I’m so grateful for that.
You worked with some incredible producers, can you describe that experience?
It’s quite daunting going into a studio with someone who’s produced some of your favorite artists. I can get really giddy and dumb about it. One of my favorite sessions was writing St. Elmo’s Fire with Jake Gosling and Carl Barat. I’d done some sessions with Jake before, he’s super cool but he was late to the studio that day so it was just me and Carl hanging out at first and I’d never met him before even though he’s one of my musical heroes. I must have been such a nerd for that first hour of the session, I chilled out after Jake arrived and we started drinking whiskey and having fun in the studio and then the song came about really quickly. Those dudes are so talented and awesome to hang out with but yeah that was incredibly daunting at first!!
If you could work with one person who would it be?
I’d really love to work with Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I LOVE his recent work on the last Deap Vally record and his project 41 strings was one of the most inspiring concerts I’ve ever been to I think I cried I was so moved by it.
What do you like most about live performance?
When the crowd is on fire and your confidence in what you’re doing is at its highest I can’t even describe what that feels like. People singing along to lyrics I wrote when I was alone in bed that’s really special. Having a strong connection like that to a room while playing live is one of my favorite things about being a musician.
What do you hope for in 2017?
For the album to be successful and to play some bigger festival slots in the summer. I just want to be able to survive doing only this which isn’t easy!!
story/Alyssa Hardy
photo/courtesy of Findlay