Timesou t rAe’s Closer to stArDom
Talented singer heads to city before new record release
SIGNING your record deal when you’re a teenager, can be a daunting experience for even the most talented artist.
The uncertainly of not knowing how your career will work out and being a young artist in the hyper competitive music industry can be a lot to handle.
But, Blackpool musician Rae Morris has taken it in her stride.
After joining Atlantic Records shortly after her 18th birthday, the 22-year-old’s career has been gently simmering.
She has released four singles with her next single Closer coming out on October 22 and has supported the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Clean Bandit and Paolo Nutini.
She has been predicted by many to be the next big British female artist and next year plans to release her highly-anticipated debut album.
But before she can focus on her album, she is set to join singer songwriter George Ezra on his UK tour, which
I’ve always had such a brilliant reception in Glasgow on previous tours
includes a stop at the University of Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Union on October 18.
“I’ve always had such a brilliant reception in Glasgow on previous tours and feel super lucky that I’m being welcomed back, she said ahead of the show later this month.
“Playing university venues is always a lot of fun, so much energy and enthusiasm from the crowd.”
The support slot will mark the second time she has played in Glasgow this year having performed a show at Nice and Sleazy’s last month.
She said: “The Nice and Sleazy’s gig was brilliant; we had a curry before the gig then finished the night with a White Russian.
“Classic Nice and Sleazy’s style.”
She revealed the Budapest singer supported her on a previous tour in 2012 and they have remained good friends ever since.
The 21-year-old from Hertford, whose debut album Wanted on Voyage entered the charts at number 3 earlier this year, asked Rae if she wanted to join him on his tour and says he can’t wait to see him on stage in front of a rowdy and energetic Glasgow crowd.
She said: “He’s doing so well at the moment, so I feel very lucky to share this moment with him.
“I love him and his music yes so it will be a great pleasure to get to watch his set.”
Rae revealed she first got into music when she was 15 after enrolling into a course of arts and music at college and started writing songs a couple of years later.
She says her family have always been big into music with her uncle playing in a number of different bands in Blackpool, while her parents and her brother would always have records playing in the house.
She says she grew up and what they would be listening to and believes they’re her biggest influence.
Rae is set to release her debut record earlier next year.
Work on the album, which currently has no name, began five years ago before she was signed to her record label.
She said the album con- tents a mixture of songs either written at the very start of her musical career and songs written quite recently and said the theme of the record is growing up and maturity.
She said: “I feel that it’s a coming-of-age story and that people may be able to feel the things that I’ve felt over the last few years, and follow the curve of me growing up and learning how to be who I am.”
From the record, she says her favourite song is a track called Not Knowing.
She said: “It closes the album and for me, ever since
Pressure is healthy, nerves before a gig give you a rush and drive to perform well
we recorded it, it has acted as a summary and conclusion.
“I remember being in the studio and everything just coming together so easily. “Sometimes songs are just meant to be something and you can’t argue with it.
“It is what it is and for me it is a lot.” With all the hype surrounding her, Rae said she would be lying if she didn’t feel the pressure to do well.
But, she says pressure can also be a good thing.
She said: “Pressure is healthy, just like nerves before a gig give you a rush and drive to perform well, ultimately enjoying it more.
“I want to succeed for myself and the people who have believed it me, but success is a very broad thing and for me, succeeding would be to release the album and hear that it has positively affected people.”
Rae Morris, Queen Margaret Union, University of Glasgow, October 18 supporting George Ezra, 7pm. Tickets: £17.25