After growing up on a diet of Etta James and Irma Thomas, Brighton-raised musician Lily Moore developed an early taste for soul music during her youth. Surrounded by a family of artists and talented musicians, Lily’s path into the music industry seemed almost inevitable.
Today, her own song-writing has developed into a disarmingly stripped-back style that quickly garnered the artist recognition. Now armed with a string of heartfelt songs and undeniable talent, her neo-soul sound and powerhouse vocals have prompted comparisons to music legends Amy Winehouse and Lianne La Havas.
Set to be a musical great in her own right, we caught up with the rising star to uncover the motivations behind her latest EP Before I Change My Mind, Again….
From busking to grandeur: Lily Moore’s rise to fame
In a world where higher education is often seen as the traditional path to success, teens defying parental expectations by not going to university is seen as an act of rebellion. But for musician Lily Moore, the decision to actually pursue further education would have been the true act of defiance.
“I grew up in a very musical house,” explains the artist. “My whole family are musicians and even the ones that aren’t, love music. Me going to uni and doing something clever would’ve been way more rebellious.”
As for her footings into live music, let’s just say her first ever gig left listeners hungry for more.
“My first gig was sat on George Street in Hove outside a Greggs,” Moores reveals to Student Pages. “I started busking at 14 to earn some extra money and get a chance to play all the songs I had written. Though I didn’t make a fortune, I did end up winning a slot to play at The Great Escape in my hometown of Brighton a year later. Cheers 14-year-old Lil!”.
Who needs a grand stage when you can have the humble backdrop of the UK’s elite sausage roll emporium, anyway?
After a knock-out festival debut at The Great Escape, things began to happen quite quickly for the Brighton-raised artist. Shortly after the release of her debut EP, Not That Special, Moores rose the ranks with ease in an effort that proved she was quite the opposite of the EP’s title: a rising star with a special talent.
That said, her path to success hasn’t been without its challenges. Having been disheartened and exhausted by the music industry not long after it first welcomed her in, the talented songstress almost completely gave up on music.
But now she’s back, hungrier than ever, and ready to share her latest offering with the world.
New Music Radar: Before I Change My Mind, Again…
Her latest offering, Before I Change My Mind, Again…, is led by the soulful ‘Hard Days Love’ – which marked Lily’s triumphant return to music earlier this year – and follow-up single ‘Beautiful Lie’, both of which were accompanied by stunning visuals directed by Claryn Chong.
The EP hears Lily at her most accomplished and headstrong – an offering that was born out of sheer determination, a last-ditch attempt to put her artistry out there. But what it offers listeners is so much more than that: a striking collection of incredibly relatable lessons on love, heartbreak and friendships.
Speaking of the EP, Lily tells us the journey to release wasn’t an easy one.
“There were lots of things to overcome to make it happen,” the musician shares with Student Pages. “Whether that was only being able to work via Zoom, not having the money, or simply just not feeling good enough.”
Drawing inspiration from her own life experiences, Lily sought to create a more mature sound with her latest release.
“I wanted to come back with something a little more grown up,” she tells us. “Still cheeky and grumpy [with] stories of the last few years, just a little bit more flamboyant. Kind of like getting really, really dressed up for a big night out after a week of staying in.”
Describing her music as pop with influences from old soul and blues tunes, she aims to strike a balance between cheeky and poignant.
“I want to make listeners feel something, that’s for sure,” says the London-based artist. “I would say I want to make them feel better but I don’t think that’s always what’s needed either. Sometimes it’s nice to just listen to something sad when you’re feeling sad, and let it be there.”
Beyond the melodies
Proving her popstar prowess goes further than just her singing abilities, Lily started her own More Moore club nights when she moved to London in 2017. The artist wanted to create a safe and inclusive space for people to let their guard down and enjoy music free from judgement.
Her resilience and determination in creating safe spaces is something that’s been shaped by the support and inspiration of the people around her. Raised by her mother and a group of artistic friends, Lily was always encouraged to be herself and pursue her dreams. Their influence instilled in her the belief that having fun and staying true to yourself are essential elements of success.
As she puts it, “People say you can’t have fun all the time but I think you can at least try.”
However, this happy-go-lucky attitude is something Lily Moore has built up over time. After experiencing bullying in her younger years, the musician reveals that she used this as fuel to put everything into singing, instead.
“While I wasn’t the skinniest, sportiest girl in the year, I knew I could sing and make people laugh. And here I am, still making music… and they’re still just a bunch of —!”.
Speaking candidly of her struggles as an adult, Lily Moore’s honesty extends beyond her music. Like many others, the artist has regularly experienced ups and downs with her mental health, but it wasn’t until lockdown that she faced a profound moment of self-reflection.
“I’ve always been an anxious person, even as a kid,” Lily explains. “Even though I had been through a lot, I had a sort of break from it over my teenage years. Kissing boys and drinking as much Blossom Hill as humanly possible became the biggest thing in my life, so I didn’t have time to stop to think about how I was feeling.
“I kept this up pretty much until mid-lockdown, when a combination of grief and chaos and all the stuff I’d been doing so well not to think about hit me pretty hard. It was the first time in my life I couldn’t run away.”
During this challenging time, she found solace in conversations with friends, seeking reassurance that this response was normal. Shortly after, Lily pursued counselling and discovered the benefits exercise had on her mental wellbeing. Through it all, she learned that her anxiety did not define her and she could continue smashing it, mental health struggles or not.
“That’s when I really started to heal,” she tells us. “When I got so fed up I started to do whatever I wanted regardless of whether it made me feel panicked or not.”
Social media and the power of authentic connection
In an age where social media plays a significant role in building a career, Lily Moore admits utilising the metaverse as a tool is something that took some getting used to.
That said, when it comes to the role social media plays in the industry, Lily’s outlook on it is a positive one.
“It’s really evened out the playing field in terms of everyone getting a fairer chance at making it,” she tells us. “If you post a video of you singing your heart out, it really doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a big label or loads of money or fancy editing software.”
And when it comes to creating music that truly connects with listeners, there’s one ingredient that stands above the rest – authenticity.
With her latest EP Before I Change My Mind, Again… being released this month and a newly launched podcast ‘The Moore The Merrier’ already gaining traction, Lily Moore’s star is undoubtedly on the rise.
Before I Change My Mind, Again…, crafted with soulful melodies and compelling lyrics, is set to take this singer to new heights… be sure to give it a listen.
Author: Gabriella Wieland
Gabriella Wieland is a writer and English Literature graduate. She spends most of her time trying to keep her mini-poppadom obsession at bay and finding adventures of the ‘free’ variety. Residing in Manchester, she also spends much of her time liaising with scientists to find a geographical cure for eternally-grey skies and Vitamin D deficiency.
