MY ROAD TO STARDOM
By Olivia Smith
Birmingham singer/songwriter dreaming of making it to the top, talks of her journey in music and just how hard it is to breakthrough such a competitive industry.
Molly Morgan was just six when she knew she wanted to be a singer, she would spend most of her days singing to her mom and dad and dressing up as different pop stars. When she was finally old enough to start taking music more seriously, she started at Alderbrook School in Solihull, a secondary school that specialises in the Arts.
When Molly started school, she would always be the first to nominate herself for talent shows and concerts, she loved to show off her voice to a big audience.
“I always loved having the opportunity to sing in front of big audiences at school, I knew this would a chance for people to listen to me.”
After finishing school Molly then went out to join BOA (Birmingham Ormiston Academy), this is a popular academy for students interested in the Arts. They offer courses dedicated to singing, music, dance and acting. Molly knew this would be a great start towards learning more about the music industry. Within weeks Molly was given regular singing lessons and taught to learn the guitar and piano.
“My time at BOA was amazing, I learnt so many things there about what it takes to be in the music industry. I got professional help from tutors about singing and stage presence. I learnt so many new instruments which have benefited me so much now. I also met other people with the same dream as me, which is when I knew I needed to create a unique image for myself.”
Molly’s time at an Arts academy really opened her eyes to the amount of competition that she has being an aspiring artist in the music industry. She knew she needed to brand herself in a unique way so that she was separate from others. She always looked up to artists including Mabel, Ella Eyre and Anne Marie she loved their style and their approach to music but she knew she needed to create an image that was original.
“I started to do covers and post them to my YouTube channel and I loved seeing all the amazing feedback I was receiving, people would tell me they loved my style and my voice and how different I was to other artists out there.
I would class my style as bit out there, I always like to experiment with bright colours and I love to wear vintage clothes that reflect my voice. I feel my style must reflect who I want to be as an artist. I love current pop songs we hear in the charts but when I cover them, I love to create a vibe that’s more vintage and old school.”
After finishing her two years at BOA, Molly is now currently at BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute) an award-winning UK music college that offer Degree and Diploma level music courses. Molly is currently in her first year but has already started to write her own original songs. She has learnt more about composing music and the industry of music and ways of breaking through the industry and how to develop herself as an individual.
“I love being at BIMM, I’ve been here nearly a year and I’ve learnt so much. I am now writing my own songs which I love to do and I now have voice control lessons which is more in-depth than singing lessons. I also get to work with other artists at the college to create music.
They teach you how to establish yourself as an artist, you get given PR tips and management advise, it’s like being an actual professional.”
Molly has since started gigging in local pubs and restaurants to gain more experience and to promote herself, she has regular bookings at a cocktail bar called Flave in Solihull’s town centre.
“I think gigging has to be a crucial part of making it in music, I have to put myself out there and get people to listen to me. I often take CD’s that have my covers and original music on to hand out to the local people which is great way of showcasing myself.”
Music can be a very difficult industry to break and Molly is keen to stay positive and keep working hard to pursue her dreams. It’s clear that music institutions can be a huge boost in making it to the top with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Adele all starting their careers at stage schools and are now some of the biggest artists in the world.
Molly is determined to do the same as she explains her dedication to music:
“I love music and I am determined to do what I can to make it, I have worked so hard over the past 4 years to get to a music college. I have always imagined myself as an artist, I would love to collaborate with other artists and I believe that this could happen for me, I will keep gigging and posting regularly on YouTube, getting myself out there and hopefully I will get a shot.”
LOCAL GIRL DREAMS OF MAKING IT BIG: MOLLY MORGAN ON THE ROAD TO FAME
By Kasia Pasik
Local Girl dreams of making it big
Molly Morgan on the road to fame
Molly Morgan, 21, upcoming artist from Solihull, is dreaming to make it big.
Gigging since she was only a young girl, she has had many achievements, and wants to do more.
Molly said , “Singing and or performing is something that I love to do as it gives me a chance to connect to an audience and showcase what I want to do”
Molly has performed as some of the UK’s famous festivals and arenas, as well as performing locally in bars and pubs.
“The most rememberable gig for me was wireless.”
Wireless is one of the UK’s leading festivals with performers such as Drake, Mabel, and DJ Khaled.
“I got to perform at Wireless through college. When I was there they held auditions, so I ended up doing it with a rapper. We did a half an hour set on one of the introduction stages.”
Molly wanting festivals to be one of her main aims, wants to perform at Creamfields and even return to the Wireless stage.
“I go to festivals every year just to watch it, I think the atmosphere is amazing. I loved performing at Wireless, and that is the audience I hope to playing for in the future.”
From going to festivals every year, Molly aspiring to be like artists such as Ella Eyre, dreaming of making it on her own but even supporting her favourite star.
“I would love to support Ella Eyre or even Anne Marie, I literally love their music, but I would love to be my own artist and do tours all the way around the UK.”
Molly has performed at Wembley at only aged 16.
“I used to get nervous when I was younger, but not so much anymore. I get more excited because of the adrenaline I get before getting on stage! My first memorable gig was at the Wembley Stadium on the football pitch! This is such an iconic venue and I feel very blessed I had the opportunity to perform there.”
After performing to large numbers of crowds, Molly wants to continue gigging. Used to performing on her own, Molly is also part of a scar and reggae group that tours around the UK.
“I have been with the band for around 2 years, and we gig all around the country. It’s completely different to what I usually do on my own.”
If you want to see Molly perform, head down to the Cuban Embassy on the 18thMay, where she will be performing some original songs and covers.