“Music has never not been a part of my life”
Drawing in audiences with her soulful tone and mesmerising songwriting, Nottingham’s finest singer-songwriter Mollie Ralph has a voice to silence the loudest of crowds. She’s performed all over the city with slots at Splendour Festival, Royal Concert Hall and a packed headline show at Rough Trade. Her next stop? The Bodega on 23rd November where she’ll be playing her biggest headline show to date. We caught up with Mollie ahead of the gig, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from her upcoming show…
Hey Mollie! Your first ever Bodega headline is fast approaching, how are you feeling about it?
I’m super excited, I’m always at this venue watching other people. So it will be awesome to perform on that stage myself (especially following some of the legends that have played on it in the past).
Your sound is so uniquely soulful, what music inspired you growing up and how did music become a part of your life?
Since I was around 13, I have always been heavily influenced by the likes of Peggy Lee, Etta James, Al Green and so on. I think connecting with their music in such a powerful way created the desire to make soul music myself. Music has never not been a part of my life, after growing up in a very musical family with parents that are musicians, I think it was pretty much inevitable.
‘Give It Up’ ozzes effortless Summer soul, how did that song come about?
This song relates to everyday life of unrequited love but not giving up, which happens in most people’s lives at some point. This one came from the heart and was co-written with one of Notts’ legends, GEORGIE.
You’ve played shows all over Nottingham from the Royal Concert Hall to Splendour, has your approach to live shows changed in that time?
It’s changed immensely, 2 and a half years ago I went to my first open mic only knowing 3 chords on the acoustic guitar. Now having a 9-piece band behind me, I can produce the full sound I desired when I first started out. With a band, comes the confidence and stage presence. My band are amazing, and they do some an awesome job of bringing to life the songs I’ve written.
It’s great to see how your music is progressing from solo acoustic to now with an amazing band behind you, does it feel like a natural progression for your sound?
Absolutely, it was such a relief at that first band practice. The fact we could recreate the sound I’d desperately wanted, since I practically wrote my first song, was awesome!
And finally, what can we look forward to for your show at the end of the month?
It’s gonna be the full shebang, full band, new material. Even a little bit of merch. It’s going to be a fun night, especially with my amazing supports Lady Rose and Tilly Greentree. This is a night you do not want to miss!
Mollie Ralph will play The Bodega on 23rd November, with special guests Lady Rose and Tilly Greentree. Tickets are on sale here.