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Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with Pudsey artist HerOrangeCoat to find out more…

Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from Pudsey, which is right in the middle of Leeds and Bradford. I was always involved in music at school, and in many ways I’m a symptom of privilege in that I had music lessons from a fairly young age. I started writing (very bad) songs on the piano just shy of my teenage years and haven’t stopped writing since, although hopefully the songs are a bit better now. Music for me is the way I cope with things, work out my emotions and process them.

Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
I have to admit I always hate this question!! Because my songs are always emotional responses to my own life events, the momentum comes from that emotion and the need to express it, rather than a particular sound I’m striving for/influenced by. But, in hindsight, I think Christina Perri, Adele, Ben Howard, and Florence and the Machine were probably my early influences. Now? I’m becoming increasingly folk-oriented, and I think that must be because I’m listening to more folk, but also because of the instrumentation I tend to use. I love post-punk, and I think the underlying angst and tension in that music is something I’m always weaving into my own. Game music must also be a huge influence to my sound – works like the soundtrack to Ori and the Blind Forest by Gareth Coker are in constant rotation for me. The music in games is all about atmosphere and setting the tone, and I think that is something that comes through in the way I write.

How would you describe your sound?
Melancholy and wallowing. This is indie-folk at 2am after watching a forest burn down. It is singer-songwriter after doom-scrolling the news for four hours. The ukulele is central to my sound, surrounded with cello, bass guitar, lots of vocal harmonies, and even some occasional recorder.

What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest release is called Ballads for this Age and it is my debut EP! It is all about issues I’ve had or become acutely aware of in my early twenties, so it ranges from mental health to not feeling safe as a woman, anti-immigration policy to the climate crisis. In many ways, it is really quite political, although I truly do not believe that art can be apolitical. The influences for the EP go beyond my politics, though, and stem out of real-life experiences I’ve struggled to process. I guess part of it is just growing up, and the disillusionment that comes with that.

What’s your local music scene like?
The Leeds music scene is well-known and continues to thrive even with the constant threat of venue closures. But it is the Bradford music scene I want to pull out here, as it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Bradford has a range of venues (one of my favourites being the Underground) and a true sense of community in its music scene. I wouldn’t be where I am in my music career without Bradford’s music scene, and some of the incredible people within it, so I truly am indebted!

What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
I’ll be gigging as ever, working on some really exciting collaborations, and writing more music. One major thing I’ll be working on is establishing a band to elevate my live sound – a process which both terrifies and excites me!! I’m so used to my music being a largely solo endeavour, but the next 12 months will really focus on letting other people in. I can’t wait to see what this brings!

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
I’m waiting for Fontaines D. C. to give me a call. Not sure how we’ll work ukulele into their sound, but I’m ready when they are.

Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
Anecdotes are never as funny on paper, but I have one song called The Dog is Dead and the universe likes to play a cruel joke by making dogs appear whenever I play it. One time I was about to sing the line ‘and the dog is dead’ and a man walks in right in front of the stage with his dog (very much alive). I had to stop the song – the first time I’ve fully lost my composure when playing.

Do you have any upcoming live dates and performances?
Yes, I’ve got a couple of festivals I’m really excited about!
Sunday 4th May 2025 – Thirsty Boots, Leeds
Saturday 28th June 2025 – The Longest Day, Cleckheaton

What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I share so much of my personal self in my music, I’m struggling to think of any one thing I want to tell readers. What I will say is that I have a mailing list where people can get more insight into what I’m up to, what I’m listening to etc – so if you join that you’re sure to find out more than just one thing alone.

You can find out more about HerOrangeCoat on her website or via Apple Music, Bandsintown, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok or YouTube.