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Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with unsigned UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with unsigned London based singer Sinéad Whyte to find out more…

Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
My name is Sinéad Whyte. I am an Irish up & coming singer-songwriter based in East London. I was born in Rathfarnham, Dublin, where I lived with my parents Michael & Patricia, sister Sarah & brother Paul. My love for music started at a young age – I started to learn the piano at age 4. I loved it from the get-go. My mum always loved telling people how she never had to tell me to practise. I would just jump up in the middle of dinner and start playing. I started learning on a keyboard and then my parents bought me a beautiful upright piano (which I intend to move to my own house in time!). I am a grade 8 piano player, and recently bought myself a gorgeous Yamaha weighted keyboard.

My “singing-career” started soon after, when I became a member of RTÉ’s Cór Na nÓG choir for many years. For those who don’t know the choir, RTÉ’s Cór Na nÓG is one of Ireland’s leading children’s choir and makes up one of the five classical ensembles of the Irish broadcaster RTÉ. I received excellent vocal training here, albeit challenging with long rehearsals and busy schedules at a young age. I then moved on to train with Joanna Campbell-Griffin, who I can say truly developed my vocal abilities.

After school, I studied Pharmacology in University College of Dublin and loved it but knew being in a lab wasn’t for me. In April 2019, I finally set up my YouTube channel, after encouragement from my friend Gavin to book a music studio. The first song I released was a cover of Bruises by Lewis Capaldi. My best friend Claire likes to take the credit for this one! Bruises has since reached over 250K views. Gaining more popularity, my cover of Tennessee Whiskey has accumulated over 1.5 million views on Facebook after being shared by a popular music page. I performed in Stockholm’s Kungsträdgården to over 2000 people in August 2019, followed by my first solo live gig in Tramline, Dublin. Following this success & popularity on streaming services such as Spotify & Apple Music, I had a strong desire to pursue my career further as a solo artist. I started to work on her own material, much of which has stemmed from my love of writing expressive poetry.

I moved to London in December 2019. My brother Paul lives here, and I thought it would be a great base for my music career.

Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
My dad, although he isn’t a singer himself, is hugely into music. I think many of the artists he introduced to me had an impact on the artist I am. He was always playing Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Dolly Parton, to name but a few.

I have a lot of music influences now – from all genres. Basically, I really admire any artist that writes their own material, especially when it deals with true experiences.

How would you describe your sound?
My vocals have been described as strong, moving and “goose-bump inducing”.

I would say I am quite an emotional singer – I like to tell the story through my voice. My debut single Kills Me Now can be described as a slow-burn, alt-pop ballad.

What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
Kills Me Now is my debut single, which I released on 4th June 2021. I wrote this within two days during the first lockdown. I put my experiences of heartache into this upbeat piano ballad. I believe this song will resonate with many, that the lyrics are powerful & portray a story most people have gone through – that eventually you realise that a relationship didn’t work out for the best. A friend of mine reached out shortly after it was released, commenting about how “honest & raw” the lyrics are. This is exactly what I wanted. I didn’t cover anything up, it’s completely me and I think you can hear it, not only through the lyrics, but through the emotion in my vocals too.

This is my lockdown silver lining, my first finished single and my entry into the singer-songwriter world.

What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
As the future unfolds, I have some more song releases in the pipeline with plans to fulfil my dream of releasing a full album. 

My next single should be ready for a Autumn 2021 release. I am also working on a song, based around a poem I wrote as a kid about mental health, inspired by my sister Sarah.

I have so many half (or quarter) written songs that I need to finish, sometimes I catch myself singing them and I’m like “I need to finish that!”. I also cannot wait to get onto the London music scene! Covid has prevented that, but I cannot wait to start this journey.

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Mark Ronson! I absolutely love his collaborations. I love how he adapts his songs to the artist he is collaborating with. The songs are always so unique and always so fun. I feel like we could do something catchy.

I would also jump at the opportunity to work with Chris Stapleton – I’m a big fan!

What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I completed my undergrad thesis on CBD, the non-psychoactive component of Cannabis!

Anything else?
To my family & friends, thank you for always being my biggest fans. To my parents – thank you for giving me endless opportunities. To my siblings – you rock, thanks for being there 24/7. To my friends – your support is everything. Sinéad x

You can find out more about Sinéad via Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, Twitter or YouTube.