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In the vibrant realm of British artist Tilly Valentine, the latest release, “Yours Is Mine,” emerges as a witty breakup anthem that ventures into the whimsical promise of “what’s yours is mine.” Reminiscing on the peculiar discoveries of an ex’s forgotten belongings, Valentine transforms the mundane into a lighthearted ode to post-relationship liberation. The audacious R&B anthem seamlessly blends pop sensibilities with Valentine’s distinctive soulful vocals, earning accolades for “truly developing her own sound,” as Wonderland describes.
Valentine shares insight into the inspiration behind the track, stating, “It’s a strange moment when you find traces of your ex’s life still lingering around. Finding their forgotten belongings and turning them into a silver lining is a lighthearted way of taking back control.” As one of the most tipped voices in the UK, Valentine’s musical prowess has garnered attention from BBC Radio 6 Music, championing her “beautiful pop music.” With multi-million streams and recognition on prominent platforms like BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music, The Hot List, Jazz FM, and more, Tilly Valentine is making waves in the industry.
As a BRIT School Alumna, Tilly Valentine’s journey began in a small Oxfordshire town before she ventured to London at the age of 16, captivating the ears of tastemakers ever since. The new single has found its place on Spotify’s New Music Friday and BBC Introducing for its premiere, solidifying Valentine’s presence in the music scene. Accompanied by a music video described as both petty and charming, Tilly Valentine, lauded with BBC Radio 1’s “Tip of the Week” earlier this year, is gearing up for a highly anticipated headline show at PizzaExpress Jazz Club this November. As a force to be reckoned with, her musical prowess and charismatic storytelling promise an evening of captivating melodies and resonant tales.
In “Yours Is Mine,” you explore the theme of post-relationship liberation. Could you share more about the inspiration behind the song and how personal experiences influenced its creation?
The songs I write are always observational and include specific details about things I still remember years later. The inspiration for ‘Yours Is Mine’ came from finding old scratch cards after a past relationship had ended. It’s interesting how these seemingly insignificant items can hold so much nostalgia. Rather than feeling sad when finding these forgotten belongings, I wanted to put an uplifting and liberating spin on it.
Blending pop sensibilities with your signature soulful vocals, how do you approach combining different musical styles to create a cohesive and unique sound?
Combining different musical styles is something that happens quite naturally in my creative process. I listen to a range of styles within the sphere of pop, soul, R&B, hip-hop, and jazz, but I just try to create something I would genuinely enjoy listening to if it was someone else’s music. But I think the conversational storytelling is what keeps it cohesive.
You’ve been praised for developing your own sound. How would you describe your musical style, and what elements do you feel set your music apart in the industry?
Soulful, conversational, and often playful. I like to take real experiences I’ve had and play around with language and figure of speech to put my own spin on relatable topics. In everyday life, I’m always joking around, so I think that comes out in some of my music.
The accompanying music video for “Yours Is Mine” is described as both petty and charming. How does the video complement the song’s theme, and what was the creative process like in bringing the visual concept to life?
Filming the video ended up being a very spontaneous and unscripted process. It captured the essence of the song; finding humour and empowerment in the remnants of a past relationship. We had a cardboard box full of belongings, and my friend Emma, who shot the video, essentially tossed these items in my direction while I was singing to the camera. Some of the outtakes are hilarious. I think the key to this video was not taking it too seriously.
Being recognized as one of the most tipped voices in the UK, how do you handle the expectations and pressures that come with rising prominence in the music industry?
Comparing myself to others or setting unrealistic expectations is counterproductive, so I try not to do that. Knowledge is empowering, so I keep learning as much as I can along the way and keep working hard. I approach every project without specific expectations. That gives me a sense of freedom, so every positive outcome means so much more and is an affirmation of my hard work.
Having earned BBC Radio 1’s “Tip of the Week” earlier this year, how has the recognition impacted your career, and what can fans expect from your highly anticipated headline show at PizzaExpress Jazz Club on 21st November?
Receiving BBC Radio 1’s ‘Tip of the Week’ was a bucket list moment and gave me the chance to be heard by a new audience. It also showed me, and hopefully other independent artists, that it’s possible to have these bucket list moments even without a team or major industry backing. My headline show will be a fusion of my songs, both old and new, and I’m very excited to introduce a live setup that I’ve never done before! It’s going to be a very special evening.
Your musical journey involves collaboration with various artists and performing at prestigious venues. Could you share a memorable experience or collaboration that has had a significant influence on your growth as an artist?
Undoubtedly, my collaboration with edbl has been one of the most significant. Our song ‘Table for Two’ will always be so special to me. It was not only edbl’s first-ever release but also a milestone in my own journey, with over 4 million streams and I’m regularly sent videos of my friends hearing it being played out and about. Since then, it’s opened new horizons and led to exciting projects in Japan.
Your diverse soundscape, ranging from mellow and soulful works to playful pop tracks. How do you navigate between these different musical tones, and is there a particular style you find most enjoyable to create?
I always begin with crafting the song’s concept and message, and the soundscape tends to evolve quite naturally to enhance that vision. For me, it’s all about allowing the music to organically match the song’s concept. I don’t try to force a specific style onto a song if it doesn’t feel right. Instead, I let the style support the narrative. In the case of ‘Yours Is Mine,’ it made perfect sense for the song to be upbeat and playful, as it was so fun to write.
Your lyrics are often described as conversational. How do you approach crafting meaningful and relatable lyrics, and what role do personal experiences play in your songwriting process?
I write about true stories, and I don’t shy away from adding personal details into my lyrics. For instance, references like the scratch cards or the 550 trainers are a way of inviting people into my world. Although others may not have had the exact same experience, the little details paint a picture and can somehow make something more relatable when you feel like you know someone.
The press release highlights your performances at venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and festivals such as Truck Festival. How does your approach to performing live differ from your studio work, and what do you enjoy most about connecting with your audience in a live setting?
Performing live has a different kind of energy compared to studio work. In the studio, the focus and concentration are on every little detail (and always involve cups of tea on regular rotation!). However, performing live give me the chance to tell the stories behind the songs and perform brand new and unreleased material. Hearing a room full of people (no matter how big or small) singing along is a feeling I’ll never, ever get tired of!
