Meet Fiona-Lee, the singer delivering guitar anthems that dance through the darkness

On her forthcoming debut EP, East Yorkshire newcomer Fiona-Lee doesn’t shy away from tackling some of the more challenging moments she’s encountered in her 25 years on the planet. There’s her debut single ‘Mother’, which pulls no punches in tackling the warped power dynamic she experienced when she previously moved to London and ended up living in her then manager’s basement.

Elsewhere, the striking title track Nothing Compares to Nineteen sees her tackle the personal fallout of losing a good friend to suicide at the very end of her teenage years.

It’s knotty and emotionally fraught stuff, but the singer manages to deliver songs that add an unexpected jubilance to these bleak scenarios. That title track is anchored by a slow, chugging beat that eventually transforms into fireworks, while much of the EP feels like it could already slay arenas across the land.

After growing up on a musical diet that included storytellers who tackle similar themes – Bruce Springsteen and Sam Fender among them – Fiona-Lee is now stepping out to become a real talent in her own right. You can read our whole Q&A below.

Last night was your first ever headline show. That’s a hell of a milestone in your career.

Yeah! And people are always surprised when they hear I’m just doing that now, but I’m like, well, I’ve only got three songs out in the world so who would come to my shows? But it’s been really nice to get to that point, where people are coming to hear my music.

What’s your journey in music been like so far to this point?

I’m not really from a very musical family but I’ve always been surrounded by music – my dad always has music on in the house. When I turned 14 or 15 I started playing guitar and went from there, but it does feel like I’ve had a couple of false starts. I moved to London when I was 18 and had a really weird manager and I was like living in his office basement. I talk about that on my debut single ‘Mother’ and it wasn’t the best situation, a really weird one to be honest. But I’ve always been obsessed with guitar music.

Who were your formative influences?

Kings of Leon, early on, and Bruce Springsteen has been a big one too. I remember discovering PJ Harvey and Jeff Buckley when I was 17 or 18 too and got really into them. Sam Fender has always been a big influence too, certainly in the way he writes about things and manages to deliver what it is essentially pop music with a really important message.

There’s a common theme among those of artists who are strong, defined storytellers. Has this shaped your work?

Yeah and I’m a big fan of Alanis Morissette. Jagged Little Pill was a massive influence for me, in terms of storytelling but also a sense of anger and not taking any shit. I found that really inspirational and empowering.

I first discovered Sam when I was 17 and it was just really inspiring to see the things he talks about. Because I think there have maybe been some similar experiences we’ve shared and I think it sounds like we use writing in the same way, where it becomes a cathartic and therapeutic thing to do.

Sam has tackled themes of suicide on a number of songs and you’ve done the same on ‘Nothing Compares to Nineteen’, the title track to your upcoming EP. That’s an incredibly powerful song.

It’s always strange for me, because a song like that is obviously so honest and vulnerable, but I don’t think about the fact it’s gonna be heard by people and strike a chord. I’m only ever writing for myself because it’s what I need to say, but it’s also nice to know that these things I really care about could also help other people to know they’re not on their own in these bleak situations.

For me, it is very freeing and very empowering. They aren’t nice experiences, but I think to be able to turn that into something beautiful and empowering is an incredible thing. It’s really special.

How does it feel to know your debut EP is out in a couple of weeks?

I never really think about upcoming things, but it is exciting because I’ve honestly been writing these songs since I was 20 and I’m 25 the day after the EP comes out. It’s been a five year period of writing these songs and it feels like an achievement that I’ve finally done it.

It’s got a huge sound too. A lot of these songs feel like they’d be ready to go in arenas…

I think I’ve always really liked music that sounds big and that makes me want to feel existed. It’s what Sam Fender does so well, again. It’s funny because I’ve been very influenced by the storytelling of folk music, but I have always wanted it to sound really big, even when I used to play acoustic guitar. I don’t want it to be background music, this is something you’re gonna fucking listen to!

The experience of living with your manager that you talk about in ‘Mother’, has it wisened you to the industry and, I suppose, the things that are red flags within it?

Definitely. It’s hard because everyone doubts themselves, but I think especially as an artist, it’s so easy to doubt yourself and impostor syndrome is the worst. It’s very easy to trust other people more than you trust yourself. But that taught me to listen to my gut. If someone is promising you the world, don’t fucking believe them.

And finally, one word to sum up the EP?

Raw!