In music, the phrase “up and coming” gets used around a lot. And while critics are keen to label Billie Marten as folk music’s newest rising star, at 17, Billie is something of a music veteran.
She was discovered, almost accidentally, on Youtube after her mum used the site to share videos of her signing to her grandparents living in France. Billie was only 7 years old. By the time she was 12 she had already built up a major online following thanks to people stumbling across her mum’s videos.
Her new album, Writing of Blues and Yellows, charts what’s happened in the years since. We chat to Billie about the release of her first album and find out what’s next for her.
Tell us about your amazing debut album?
It came out this year which is mental. It is sort of everything I’ve done in the last two to three years. It wasn’t a concentrated thing that was written in six months –it’s everything I’ve ever done from start to finish. I just thought it was quite a good way to round everything off. And I’m really excited to play it all at some of these amazing venues next week – I can’t wait.
What songs do you prefer playing live, the ones that have been with you for years or the brand new tracks?
There is a song called Unaware for example, I wrote when I was 13 and it wasn’t about anything. I was just sort of playing around on the guitar so now when I play that one live I just feel really sort of detached from it. It is quite hard to do but then you have to remember that most people have never heard your songs before so you’ve always got to look interested, even if you’re not feeling it.
Was there any particular inspiration behind the album?
Just an overall feeling of not really knowing what I’m doing! London used to be this really strange thing, I was always meeting more people and going to new places so the album is mostly about that.
Do you think you’ve grown up a lot since you first started writing songs?
I think so, I probably have a lot of different outlooks now and I don’t think anyone understands what they’re going through while they are in it but you just have to sort of get on with things. Yeah I do think I’ve changed quite alot
And how would you describe your sound to someone that’s not heard you before?
Really, really quiet acoustic sort of folky stuff!
Is there any particular artists that influence your sound?
Probably just my parents record collection really, people like Nick Drake and John Martin are probably my two my ones. I absolutely love them. And people like Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell and Simon and Garfunkel and everyone like that.
Pretty old school then..
Yeah definitely!
You were discovered on Youtube almost by accident, how do you feel that everybody nowadays is logging on and trying to become a star?
I think it is hugely popular and things are very different now in music – you can literally have a career in your bedroom, just playing songs to people on Youtube. It’s an amazing thing. I think I was incredibly lucky to have those videos watched. But I think everyone should do it if that’s what they want.
Are you social media savvy?
No, I’m still trying to work my way through it! I’m trying my hardest. I’m definitely not obsessed with it but it does really help getting closer to the people that are listening – even if is just through a screen. I do all the social media things, maybe not as well as other artists but I am trying!
What’s your favourite app?
Probably Instagram because you can fill it with loads of pretty things! And it’s a lot more relaxed..it doesn’t feel like you are plugging yourself all the time which I’m not really a fan of.
What else do you like to do in your spare time?
Not a lot really, I’m pretty chilled. I’m absolutely loving where I’m living at the moment – it’s this tiny village in the countryside so I like to go on a lot of walks. Obviously I like to write songs but I also read a lot. At the moment I am reading To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. It’s quite good so far but I’m only about 40 pages in so I could be wrong!
Do you have a lot of downtime on tour or are you just preparing like crazy?
We’ve had a few rehearsals, probably not as many as we should have! But I am just going to make it a casual thing but I am really excited – we all are.
Do you get nervous before going on stage?
I do get really nervous. I think it is just a really hard thing – I don’t know how people do it so well all the time! It’s usually quite busy beforehand so I just try and go somewhere quiet and sit outside for a few minutes before I go on.
What gig are you most excited for?
I’m hugely excited to come to Glasgow because I don’t go there a lot and it will be great. And at the end of the tour we are doing two days in London in this beautiful church called St Giles-in-the-Fields Church. It sounds amazing.
What venues would you love to play in the future?
You know what I’ve never thought about that! I probably should! People would probably dream of playing Shepherd’s Bush but for me most of the time it’s about the gig not the venue. You could have a tiny venue but the audience are really listening and it feels more comfortable. I just love to do great gigs!
This album is almost like closing a chapter, what do you think is next for you?
This album has been really cathartic but I feel like I just want to move on and keep on writing. I would like to experiment a bit more rather than sticking with just the same sound. But I don’t think I would go too far, I will always stay where I am comfortable. But who knows, I could always come out with an electric pop record!
Billie will be playing at the Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow on Monday 24th October. For tickets click here.
