Words by Tilly Fenton // photograph by Nicole Reed
If you’d told me a few years ago that my debut EP would take this long to come together, I probably would’ve laughed. Back then, I thought I’d have it all out in the world within a year. But the truth is, it’s taken me a few extra years, countless demos, endless conversations, and a lot of growing up to finally get my first ever EP right, and honestly, I couldn’t be prouder or more excited.
When I first started writing and recording these songs, I was fresh into the music industry and I was still used to being at uni, where everything, including my songs, had a strict deadline. Although out in the real world, all I had was time. Time to get things right, experiment with my sound, and take things as slowly as I needed. For someone who’s naturally impatient, that was daunting. Not knowing when I would be able to share my music with the world drove me a bit insane at first. But it was not long after that I realised how fortunate I was to have this period in my life, to not only shape my sound, but to figure out who I was in the process.
Music has always been a part of my life. I can’t remember it ever not being there. I started piano lessons when I was seven, and to be honest, I hated them at first. The principle of sitting down and learning each note of music that was on the page, wasn’t necessarily how I wanted to spend my time at a young age. But after years of mistakes and practice, something changed. When I was fourteen, everything clicked. It finally made sense in my brain how the keys on piano worked, and that if I played multiple notes at the same time, it created a chord. And once I discovered that, that was the real beginning. It was the time I realised I could start playing my favourite songs, and singing along to them, of course only when nobody was home. And as I continued to grow into a young woman, music became my safe space and an outlet where I was able to pour my emotions into. Whether it was when I was overwhelmed about a situation, or if I had just developed a new crush, it was always there for me. That’s really where the idea for this EP first came to life.
Each song is a snapshot of where I was in my teenage years, falling in love with life, learning who I was, the pain of letting go, and making mistakes. The rollercoaster of those experiences was something I had to live through before I could ever write about them. And honestly, I needed that time.
It wasn’t until the start of last year, when I met my producer Michael Belsar, that everything started seamlessly falling into place. I think the turning point came when we recorded “Valentine”, it was the first song that truly felt like me. It felt like I’d finally found the sound I’d been chasing for so long. And sure it still took time, and a lot of different versions to finish it, but at least it felt right.
I called the EP it’s a feeling that i know because that’s exactly what it is, that weirdly familiar mix of nostalgia, love, comfort, and coming of age chaos. You can’t really describe it, but you know it when you feel it.
Looking back, I’m actually glad it took this long. The songs wouldn’t be the same if I’d rushed them. Some things, and some versions of yourself, just need time to form. And maybe that’s the lesson in all of it, what’s meant to be will be, sometimes it’ll just take its time finding you.
