Jodie Mellor has the voice of an angel and writes the most wholesome songs ever. We chatted to her about songwriting, her advice to young creatives and how she makes her recording space cosy.
Central London is based on your fears and anxieties but how doing them for someone you love helps! A very sweet concept. How did the concept come about?
Thank you! I first wrote the chorus line ‘I would drive through Central London for you’ back in February 2020. I don’t remember exactly how the idea came to me, but I write a lot when I’m driving so it might have stemmed from that. When I finished the chorus, I was thinking about how the right person can make you feel like you can take on anything. It’s super cheesy, but maybe I was feeling the Valentines spirit.
You recorded the track in your flat in Bristol with your boyfriend. What made you decide to record it in house?
I’ve worked with a few producers over the years and it wasn’t until I started recording with my boyfriend Charlie that I felt like I could be entirely myself in the studio space. He understands my creative processes and my influences and makes me feel like an equal. I also love working in our flat. I’m such a homebody and feel the most creative late at night in a room lit with fairy lights. I haven’t found this feeling yet in a studio.
What has the response been to your release?
It’s been lovely. It has definitely had the most interest of any of my releases yet and I’ve loved seeing people listening to it and adding it to their playlists. I think this release has been the first to find my ‘people’ and I’m so glad it’s being heard by them.
What is next for you?
I’m currently back in Bristol after a Summer in France and I’m so happy to be back playing shows in my city. This week is really busy for me with 3 live shows which is great. I’ve been doing some backing vocal work with another incredible Bristol based artist Emily Isherwood, so expect to hear some of that soon. Release wise, my next single is just being finished up and I can’t wait to share it. I’m also working on an entirely new project which I think a lot of my followers will be really excited about and hopefully that will be announced soon.
What would your fans be surprised to find out about you?
I like to keep my social presence quite focused on my artist project, but I also do A&R work for Puzzle Maker Studios in Bristol and more recently - Cactus City! I love working with up and coming artists behind the scenes.
What songwriting tips do you have for people entering the music industry?
Listen to as much music as possible and see as many shows as you can. I think the thing that improved my songwriting the most was seeing so many musicians play at University and being inspired by their differing songwriting styles.
What advice would you give to women and gender minorities in the music industry?
You really need to find your people. Networking and building up a community of not only industry professionals but also other musicians is so important to feel safe and included. I definitely need to take my own advice here, but I think it’s important to find other women and gender minorities to collaborate with creatively and provide each other with those opportunities that we’re lacking in our industry. For example, I can’t complain about gender representation in the live world when my entire band line up is men. I definitely need to put in the work myself.
How would you like to see the music industry change for women and gender minorities?
As a songwriter, and someone who wants to write commercially for other artists, I would love to see more women and gender minorities at major publishers and writing camps.
What does safety in the music industry mean to you?
For me this means being able to be vulnerable in the creative space without facing ridicule or aggression. It means being able to stay late at a studio or play a late gig without the fear of being the only woman in the room and what that could mean. It also means having people in your corner to make sure you’re not manipulated or taken advantage of, even from a legal standpoint.
Who is your dream music collab?
Taylor Swift every day, or maybe Maisie Peters.
What qualities are you most proud of in yourself?
I love this question - thank you for asking this. I’m proud of how empathetic I am. I’m proud of my self sufficiency and how I’m always pushing myself to do more.
Stream Central London here: